
X^^e^ /f^ 



%\t limnt of ijre §riiis| JjrfllmiMs. 



A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE SEVERAL CONFERENCES HELD IN THE 

MARITIME PROVINCES AND IN CANADA, IN SEPTEMBER 

AND OCTOBER, 1864, ON THE PROPOSED 



CONFEDERATION OF THE PROVINCES, 



TOGETHER WITH A 



REPORT OF THE SPEECHES 

DELIVERED BY THE DELEGATES FROM THE PROVINCES, ON 
IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS. 



COMPILED BY 

THE HON. EDWARD W HE LAN, M. P. P. 

i| 

(One of the Prince Edward Island Delegates.) 



CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 

PRINTED BY G. T. HASZARO. 
1865. 



■STOW* 

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£7 1> yy. 



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INDEX. 



Introduction. Page. 

The Conference op Delegates at Oharlottetown, 1 

Preliminary Observations — Resolutions of the Maritime 
Legislatures, ....1 — 4 

Names op the Delegates, 5 

Banquet in Charlottetown, * 6 

Speeches of Lieat. Governor Dundas, of Honorables Colonel 
Gray, J. A. McDonald, George E. Cartier, (Canada) ; Dr. 
Tupper, Adams G. Archibald, (Nova Scotia) ; John M. Johnson, 
Col. Hamilton Gray, (New Brunswick,); William McDougall, 
(Provincial Secretary, Canada,) Hons. J. Longworth and T. 
Heath Haviland, and F. B reckon, Esqr., (P. E. I.) 7—17 

The Delegation Conference in Nova Scotia, 17 

Banquet in Halifax, ]8 

Speeches of Lieut. Governor McDonnell, of Sir James Hope, 
Vice Admiral— of the Hon. Dr. Tupper, (Nova Scotia) ; Hon. 
G. E. Cartier, Hon. G. Brown, (Canada;)— Hon. S. L. Tilley, 
(New Brunswick)— Hon. Col. Gray, (P. E. I.)— Hon. J. A. 
McDonald (Canada)— Hon. A. T. Gait, (Canada), 18—49 

The Delegates in New Brunswick, 49 

Public Dinner at St. John, N. B., 50 

Speeches of the Hon. G. E. Cartier — Hon. George Brown — 
Hon. Charles Tupper — Hon. Col. J. H. Gray— Hon. George 
Coles— Hon. A. T. Gait, 50—57 

The Voyage to Quebec, 57—59 

The Conference at Quebec, GO 

Names ef the Delegates from Canada, and from all the Mari- 
time Provinces — Preliminary Arrangements of the Conference, 60— Gl 

"Drawing Room" and Reception of the Delegates, 62 

Invitations to Festivities, ib. 

Ball in the Parliament Buildings, ib. 

v. 



iv INDEX. 

Public Dinner by Board op Trade, 63 

Speeches of Delegates — Speech of Chairman of Board of 
Trade — Speeches of Hon. Dr. Tapper— Hon. S. L. Tilley — 
Hon. Mr. Carter, (Newfoundland) — Hon. Col. Gray, (P. E. 
Island)— Chairman of Board of Trade— Hon. Sir E. P. Tache 

—Mr. Forsyth— Hon. Mr. Gait, 65—80 

Continued Meetings of the Conference — Ball at Madame 

Tessier's, 80 

Visit to, and Address from, Laval University, .81 

The Bachelors' Ball, 83 

Departure from Quebec, 84 

Arrival in Montreal ib. 

Visit to Public Institutions— Conference — Ball, 84—85 

Public Banquet, (Montreal) 85—86 

Speeches of Delegates and others — Speeches of Sir William 
Fenwick Williams — Col. Dyde — Sir Richard MacDonnell — 
Hon. Dr. Tupper — Hon. Mr. Archibald — Hon. Col. Gray, 
(New Brunswick) — Hon. J. A. Shea, (Newfoundland) — Hon. 
Col. Gray, (P. E I.) — Hon. E. Whelan — Hon. T. Heath 
Haviland—Hon. G. E. Cartier— Hon. Mr. McGee— Hon. Mr. 
Gait, 85—126 

Departure for, and arrival at, Ottawa, 126 

River Scenery — Reception of the Delegates by the Mayor and 
Corporation of Ottawa— Torchlight Procession— Speeches by 
Honorable Messrs. J. A. McDonald and Charles Tupper — 
Drive through the City— Visit to the Rideau Falls— Trip on 
the Ottawa River — Visit to the Parliament Buildings, 126—129 

The Dejeuner (at Ottawa,) 129 

Description of Dejeuner — Speeches by Hon. J. A. McDonald 
— Mr.T. C. Clarke— Hon. W. A. Henry, (Nova Scotia,)— Hon. 
J. M. Johnson, (New Brunswick) — Hon. George Coles, (P. E. 
Island) — Hon. A. T. Gait, (Canada) — Mayor Dickinson — Col. 
Gray, (P. E. Island,) 129—146 

Ball at Ottawa, 146 

Departure for Toronto, ib. 

Reception at Kingston, Belleville and Coburg — Dinner at 
Kingston, by Mr. Brydges — Complimentary Remarks by Dr. 

Tupper — Mr. Brydges' Speech in acknowledgment 147 — 148 

Address from Mayor and Corporation of Belleville — Col. Gray's 
Reply, 149—151 



INDEX. v 

Address from Mayor and Corporation of Coburg— Col. Gray's 
Reply, 151—153 

Torchlight Procession at Coburg — Hospitalities at the Resi- 
dence of the Hon. Solicitor General, 153 

Arrival at Toronto, ib. 

Brilliant Reception — Torchlight Procession — Address from the 
Mayor and Corporation — Reply — Addresses at the Queen's 
Hotel,... 153—155 

Visit to the College of Upper Canada — Address from the Prin- 
cipal and Alumni — Col. Gray's Reply ; — Visit to Osgood Hall ; 
— Visit to the University — Eloquent Address from the Rev. 
Dr. McCaul, and Reply by Dr. Tupper — View of the Institution ; 
— Visit to the Normal School — Its great attractions, 156 — 161 

The Banquet at Toronto, 161 

Speeches by Mayor Medcalf, General Napier, Colonel Denison, 
Hon. Mr. Allan— by Hon. Mr. McCully, (Nova Scotia)— Hon. 
Charles Fisher, (New Brunswick) — Hon. Mr. Carter, (New- 
foundland) — Hon. Edward Palmer, (P. E. Island; — Mr. Ross, 
(Red River) — Hon. George Brown, (Canada) — Hon. A.T.Galt, 
(Canada) 161—206 

Inspection of thk Volunteers, 206 

Speches by General Napier and Colonel Gray, 207 — 209 

The Public Ball, (at Toronto) 209 

Departure from Toronto, » 210 

Reception of the Delegates at Hamilton, St. Catherine's and 

Clifton, and Visit to Niagara Falls, 210 

Address at Hamilton — Reply by Hon. Mr. Tilley ; — Address 
from Board of Trade (Hamilton) — Reply by Hon. Mr. Shea; — 
Address at St. Catherine's— Speech by Mr. McGiverin — Reply 
by Hon. Mu Pope; — Dinner at Clifton — Complimentary toast 
to Mr. Swinyard (Manager of the Great Western) — Mr. Swin- 
yard's Reply; — Visit to the Falls;— Return to Toronto and 
Montreal;— Concluding Remarks,..' 210—217 

Appendix— 

Report of the Quebec Conference, 219—231 



INTKODUCTION. 



The compilation of the following pages was commenced, 
during the past winter, at the request of several gentlemen 
who have taken a deep interest in the question of a Confedera- 
tion of the British American Colonies. The Conferences held 
in the Maritime Provinces and in Canada, in connection with 
that question, in the autumn of 1864, have excited a great deal 
of public attention in Great Britain and America; and it has 
been considered, that — notwithstanding the confidential man- 
ner in which the proceedings of the Conferences were con- 
ducted — there should be some connected account of their 
meetings — of the times and places when and where they met — 
and of some of the leading incidents connected with the great 
business entrusted to them. The most important of these 
incidents were the utterances of the Delegates on important 
public occasions. 

It has been the object of the Compiler to collect all the prin- 
cipal speeches delivered on those occasions. They contain 
valuable information bearing upon the interests of the Colonies : 
and nearly all abound with high-toned patriotic sentiments 
which entitle them to a more lasting record than could be 
allotted to them in the newspapers of the passing hour. 

The speeches herein presented have been revised with much 
care. The Compiler has availed himself, in all cases where he 
could do so conveniently, of the polite attention of the speakers 
residing in the several Provinces, in assisting him to correct 
the errors that were necessarily attendant upon hastily prepar- 
ed newspaper reports. This has certainly delayed the issuing 
of the present little work, but it is to be hoped that it may be 
all the more useful from the delay, as being more correct than 
otherwise it would be. 

This little book makes no pretension to the dignity of author- 
ship, and on that account it may not be supposed to be within 
the range of criticism. The Compiler cannot, however, but 
expect that those who look with an unfavorable eye on Con- 
federation will find something to cavil at in these pages. It is 
the fashion of some persons — wise in their own conceit — to 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

sneer at " after-dinner speeches" as altogether unworthy of 
consideration. Such speeches would, indeed, be entitled to 
the most contemptuous rejection if it were the practice amongst 
gentlemen to utter one thing at the festive board and mean 
another; but every intelligent reader knows that all public 
men of character and standing, in Europe and America, fre- 
quently make use of festive occasions for the utterance of their 
most sincere and honest convictions in reference to important 
public affairs. The best and most eloquent speeches known 
to the British Parliament are those which are delivered H after 
dinner;" and no one out of Bedlam would be mad enough to 
disparage them simply because the speakers " fared sumptu- 
ously" during the day. There is reason to apprehend that ere 
long we shall be infested with a brood of philosophers and 
physiologists who will be prepared to determine the value of a 
man's eloquence by the exact quantity he eats and drinks ; the 
less of both, the more valuable his eloquence will be considered. 
A school of philosophers, who regard themselves as Financiers, 
have lately oari sen, and are prepared to shew to the world what 
the expenditure and income of any given country will be, even 
to the fraction of a dollar, for a hundred years in advance of 
their age. Those ingenious Financiers appear to work their 
calculations with empty stomachs, as they are loudest in their 
complaints against those who make their deductions in a more 
comfortable condition at the festive board. 

The progress of Confederation has, no doubt, been checked 
by the decision pronounced in New Brunswick at the late 
elections in that province. The cause is not, however, aban- 
doned, nor are its advocates discouraged. The elections 
referred to, were influenced more by local interests and per- 
sonal feeling than by a calm and intelligent consideration of 
the great Question. The people of New Brunswick will yet 
see it in its true light ; and will not, it is to be hoped, continue 
as an obstacle to the accomplishment of a measure which affects 
the interests of half a continent — which has certainly met with 
the warm approval of an overwhelming majority of British 
Americans, when taken altogether — and Avhich has received 
the liveliest encouragement from the press, the people, and the 
Government of Great Britain, who can have no other desire 
than to see the Colonies in that condition which would give 
assurance of their permanence and prosperity. 

Charlottetown, P. E. Island, May, 1865. E. W. 



Union op the British Provinces, 



THE CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES AT 
CHARLOTTETOWN. 



The question of uniting the British American Colonies 
under one Legislature and one Government, or the greater 
question of forming them into a Confederation, somewhat 
after the model of the United States Government, but 
preserving the connection with the British Crown — has 
for more than ten years engaged the close attention of 
leading statesmen in all the Colonies — the chiefs of rival 
parties merging sectional considerations in the advocacy 
of the measure. The late Lord Durham had advocated it 
many years before in his celebrated Report on the affairs 
of British America ; and there is no doubt that that Re- 
port was the incentive to an enquiry by Colonial Statesmen 
into the merits of a Legislative or Federal Union. In the 
Parliament of Nova Scotia the question of Union was dis- 
cussed with singular ability in 1854, the Hon. Mr. Howe 
and the Hon. Mr. Johnston, leaders of the rival parties, 
although differing widely on questions of local policy, 
manifested a cordial agreement in their advocacy of a 
measure which they felt assured would be the means of 
constituting a great nation, by combining the elements of 
strength and wealth which all the British American Pro- 
vinces possess. Since 1854, the great directors of public 
opinion in England, have, through their press, strenuously 
advocated the question of Union — statesmen occupying 
the highest places in the Imperial Cabinet, have, on public 
occasions, frequently done the same ; and within the last 
1 



2 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES* 

three years it seems to have become the unalterable policy 
of the Crown towards the Colonies, to insist upon their 
uniting, in order to relieve Great Britain from the 
whole burthen of defending them in the event of 
any hostilities that might arise between the Mother 
Country and any Foreign Power. The subordinate ques- 
tion of Defence is, indeed, the one which may be said to 
have brought the primary question of Union to the position 
which it now occupies in the eyes of the world ; and there 
is no doubt that if the Union be accomplished, it will be 
owing to the sentiment of self-preservation against the 
perils which now threaten the Colonies from abroad, more 
than to a belief in the pecuniary advantages which new 
commercial regulations would confer. 

The first official action on the Union Question arose 
out of a resolution adopted unanimously by the Parliament 
of Nova Scotia on the 15th April, 1861. It was moved 
by the Provincial Secretary, and is as follows : — 

;i Whereas the subject of a Union of the North Ameri- 
can Provinces, or of the Maritime Provinces of British 
America, has been from time to time mooted and discussed 
in all the Colonies ; 

" And whereas, while many advantages may be secured 
by such a Union, either of all these Provinces, or of a 
portion of them, many and serious obstacles are presented 
which can only be overcome by mutual consultation of the 
leading men of the Colonies, and by free communication 
with the Imperial Government : therefore Resolved, That 
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor be respectfully re- 
quested to put himself in communication with His Grace 
the Colonial Secretary, and His Excellency the Governor 
General, and the Lieutenant Governors of the other North 
American Provinces, in order to ascertain the policy of 
Her Majesty's Government and the opinions of the other 
Colonies, with a view to an enlightened consideration of a 
question involving the highest interest, and upon which 
the public mind in all the Provinces ought to be set at 
rest. 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 3 

" Which Resolution being seconded and put was agreed 
to by the House/' 

This resolution, having been forwarded to the Colonial 
Office, was transmitted by the Duke of Newcastle in 
a despatch of the 6th July, 1862, to the Governor Gen- 
eral, and to the Lieutenant Governors of the several 
Provinces ; and in a separate despatch to the Lieutenant 
Governor of Nova Scotia, his Grace expressed his unquali- 
fied approval of the matter referred to in the resolution 
above quoted, whether the Union referred to should include 
amalgamation with Canada, or merely a Union of the 
Lower Provinces. .Referring to both topics, "lam far 
from considering," said His Grace, " that they do not form 
a very proper subject for calm deliberation." Then 
cautiously saying that Her Majesty's Government was not 
prepared to annoucce any definite course of policy, on a 
question which seemed to originate with only one Province, 
the noble Duke expressed his own opinion on the question 
in the following words : — 

" If a union, either partial or complete, should hereafter 
be proposed with the concurrence of all the Provinces to 
*be united, I am sure that the matter would be weighed 
in this country both by the public, by Parliament, and by 
Her Majesty's Government with no other feeling than an 
anxiety to discern and to promote any course which might 
be the most conducive to the prosperity, the strength, and 
the harmony of all the British communities in North 
America." 

Thus prompted to consider the question of Union, the 
Lieut. Governors of the several Provinces brought it under 
the notice of their respective Legislatures at the com- 
mencement of their Sessions of 1864, with the view to the 
appointment of Delegates to confer upon the practicabilit y 
of establishing a Legislative Union between the Maritime 
Provinces. The question was discussed in the several 
Legislatures, with calmness and ability, by the leading 



4 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

men of the contending parties, and without reference to 
local party issues. The discussion elicited, however — and 
more particularly in the Prince Edward Island Legisla- 
ture — a strong feeling of dissatisfaction at the proposal for 
a Legislative Union ; but still the Legislature of the Is- 
land felt that they could not honourably keep aloof from 
the proposed Conference, and on the 18th of April passed, 
but not without a division, the following resolution, which 
is identical with the resolutions, aiming at the same object, 
passed in the Legislatures of Nova Scotia and New Bruns- 
wick : — 

" Kesolved, That His Excellency the Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor be authorized to appoint Delegates (not to exceed 
five), to confer with Delegates who may be appointed 
by the Governments of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, 
for the purpose of discussing the expediency of a Union of 
the three Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and 
Prince Edward Island, under, one Government and Legis- 
lature, the report of the said Delegates to be laid before 
the Legislature of this Colony, before any further action 
shall be taken in regard to the proposed question." 

In conformity with the resolutions referred to, Delegates 
were appointed by the Governments of Nova Scotia, New 
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Canada was at 
this time, without previous concert with the Maritime 
Provinces, engaged in considering the necessity of a 
change in its constitution, so as to reconcile, if possible, 
the conflicting interests of the Eastern and Western 
Divisions of the Province ; and it was deemed an appro- 
priate time to bring the question of Colonial Union gener- 
ally, which would embrace Canada, under the notice of 
the proposed Conference. With this view the Canadian 
Government solicited permission to be present by Dele- 
gation at the Conference. Their request was most cordially 
complied with ; and on the 1st September, the whole of 
the Delegates met according to previous arrangement, at 
Charlottetown. 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. o 

THE DELEGATES. 

Nova Scotia was represented by — 
The Hon. Charles Tupper, M.P.P., Provincial Secretary, 
" Wm. A. Henry, M.P.P., Attorney General. 
" Kobert Barry Dickie, M.L.C. 

Jonathan McCully, M.L.C. 
" Adams G. Archibald, M.P.P. 

New Brunswick was represented by — 
The Hon. S. L. Tilley, M.P.P. , Provincial Secretary. 
" John M. Johnston, M.P.P., Attorney General. 
John Hamilton Gray, M.P.P. 
Edward B. Chandler, M.L.C. 
W. H. Steeves, M.L.C. 

Prince Edward Island was represented by — 
The Hon. Col. Gray, M.P.P., President of the Executive 
Council. 
Edward Palmer, M.L.C, Attorney General, 
W. H. Pope, M.P.P., Colonial Secretary. 
George Coles, M.P.P. 
A. A. Macdonald, M.L.C. 

Newfoundland sent no Delegates to this Conference. 

Canada was represented by — 
The Hon. John A. McDonald, M.P.P., Attorney General, 
Upper Canada. 
George Brown, M.P.P., President of Executive 

Council. 
Alexander T. Gait, M.P.P. , Minister of Finance. 
" George E. Cartier, M.P.P., Attorney General, 
Lower Canada. 
Hector L. Langevin, M.P.P., Solicitor General, 

of Lower Canada. 
William McDougall, Provincial Secretary. 
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, M.P.P., Minister of 
Agriculture. 



The Canadian Ministers — not having been delegated to 
consider the question of a Legislative Union, to which the 



b UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

attention of the other Delegates was specially directed by 
a resolution of their respective Assemblies — were informally 
present at the Conference. 

Although no report of the Charlottetown Conference has 
yet been given to the public, it is well understood that the 
proposal to unite the Maritime Provinces under one Go- 
vernment and one Legislature was deemed impracticable ; 
but the opinion of the Delegates was unanimous that a 
Union upon a larger basis might be effected ; and with the 
view of considering the feasibilty of such a Union in all 
its details, it was proposed by the Canadian Ministers to 
hold a further Conference at Quebec, with the consent of 
the Governments of the Lower Provinces, and at such 
time as might be named by His Excellency the Governor 
General. This arrangement was agreed to, and the Con- 
ference at Charlottetown suspended its deliberations. 



BANQUET IN CHARLOTTETOWN— SPEECHES 
OF DELEGATES AND OTHERS. 

Before leaving Charlottetown, a Committee composed of 
members of the Executive Council of Prince Edward Is- 
land, and some of the most prominent citizens of the 
capital, had made arrangement for entertaining at a Ball 
and Banquet the distinguished Delegates from the other 
Provinces, together with the Lady friends and others who 
had accompanied them. The entertainment was given in 
the Provincial Building at Charlottetown on the evening 
of the 8th September. The members of both branches of 
the Legislature, as well as the principal office-holders in 
the Colony, were invited as the guests of the Committee ; 
and no expense or trouble was spared to make the enter- 
tainment worthy of the occasion, creditable to the Colony, 
and acceptable to its guests, who were unanimous in ex- 
pressing their appreciation of the generous spirit which 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 7 

prompted and characterized the festivity. At the Banquet 
several of the Delegates gave utterance to their sentiments 
on the great question of Union — all declaring their adhesion 
to that measure, pointing out its advantages, and urging 
its adoption. The speeches were not reported as fully as 
could be desired, owing to the inexperience of the Keporter ; 
but they were considered accurate in so far as they con- 
veyed the spirit of the remarks of the different speakers. 
The main object of this unpretending Compilation is to 
preserve the sentiments of the Delegates and other pro- 
minent public men, uttered on public occasions, while the 
former were employed in the duties of their mission in the 
Lower Provinces and in Canada ; and Charlottetown being 
the first place where an occasion of this kind presented 
itself, such a report of the speeches there delivered as can 
now be obtained, should, of course, appear first. After 
the usual loyal toasts were honoured in the customary way ? 
the health of the Governor General and that of the Go- 
vernors of the Maritime Provinces, were mentioned in the 
complimentary style which time-honored usage has pre- 
scribed. 

George Dundas, Esquire, Lieutenant Governor of 
Prince Edward Island, returned thanks for the toast, on 
behalf of His Excellency the Governor General, and like- 
wise on his own behalf and that of his brother Governors 
in the other Provinces. He expressed great satisfaction 
at the auspicious meeting of so many distinguished 
gentlemen from the neighbouring Provinces, whose Con- 
vention would, he trusted, be conducive to the best interests 
of Her Majesty's subjects on this side of the Atlantic — 
enabling them to form, as it would, a more extensive 
acquaintance with our people and their resources than 
could be acquired in our present isolated condition, and 
thus greatly enlarge the commercial and social intercourse 
between the several Provinces. 

The next toast was that of " Our distinguished Guests, 
the Delegates from Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Bruns- 
wick/' 



g UNION Of THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Colonel Gray, the leader of the Government of Prince 
Edward Island, who was Chairman on this occasion, said, 
in proposing the above toast, he had no donbt but that he 
was giving utterance to the sentiments of all the people of 
this Colony, in expressing pleasure and entire gratification 
at this visit to our Island home of some of the ablest states- 
men of Canada and the adjoining Provinces. He would 
not, he said, attempt to make a speech, as he was proud 
to know that those who had honorably assembled to welcome 
their distinguished visitors would now be addressed by 
some of the representatives of two of the greatest nations 
of the world, whom he had the honor and extreme pleasure 
of seeing around him. One remark, however, he would 
make, and it was this, that he sincerely and confidently 
ibelieved that this visit would be productive of much good, 
and serve as the happy harbinger of such a union of senti- 
ment and interests among the three and a half millions of 
freemen, who now inhabit British America, as neither 
time nor change could forever destroy. 

The Hon. John A. McDonald, Attorney General for 
Upper Canada, on rising to respond to the toast, was loudly 
applauded. He said the people of these lower Provinces 
and of Canada were separated too long. Our hearts were 
one, our loyalty and attachment to the throne of England 
one, and we were one ancestry — except a portion of Canada 
— and yet, we were unfortunately severed from each other 
by the present construction of our respective constitutions 
and governments. He had, however, every reason to 
believe that the result of the Convention which held its 
sittings in Charlottetown for the past week, would lead to 
the formation and establishment of such a Federation of 
all the British North American Provinces as would tend 
very materially to enhance their individual and collective 
prosperity, politically, commercially, and socially ; and also 
give them, in their united manhood, that national prowess 
and strength which would make them at least the fourth 
nation on the face of the globe. He then alluded to the 
uninterrupted pleasure and happiness which he, in com- 
mon with all the Delegates, felt at their visit to this lovely 
Island. He said he appreciated the hospitality and kindness 
which they all received at the hands of their co-Delegates 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 9 

and others in this place ; and he felt assured that the very 
favorable impressions made on the hearts and minds of all 
the Canadian gentlemen, whether married or unmarried, 
would lead to other, and if possible, more happy visits to 
this charming place. 

The Hon. George Etienne Cartier, Attorney General 
for Lower Canada, rose also to return thanks for the toast, 
and was loudly cheered. He felt reluctance, he said, in 
following his able colleague, the learned Attorney General 
for Upper Canada, and after some playful badinage on the 
remarks of the latter in reference to the ladies, he said, it 
was a gratifying fact for the British American Provinces 
that they could claim, as their ancestry, two of the greatest 
nations of the world. He, in common with his country- 
men in Canada East, claimed to be the descendants of the 
inhabitants of old France. He said we are Frenchmen as 
to race, but Frenchmen of the old regime. He spoke of 
a recent visit to France, and said when present at a meet- 
ing of the French Academy of Paris, a few years ago, he 
was asked how had the French in Lower Canada managed 
to maintain their nationality ? His reply was, that it was 
because they separated from France before the French 
Kevolution. Had it not been for that fact their nationality 
would have been lost in the convulsions which followed 
that period of their country's history. They owed the 
preservation of their nationality to the free institutions 
which they had received from England. It was a happy 
day, in his opinion, when England and France fought side 
by side as brothers in the Crimean war. That was the 
first time since the 12th century that they did battle to- 
gether in one common cause ; and he was proud to say 
that the French Canadians to-day rejoice as much at the 
prosperity of England as that of France. As to the question 
of Colonial Union, he said, though the Convention held 
its meetings with closed doors, and he was not at liberty 
to state all that transpired, yet this much he would say, 
that he hoped and believed the result of their deliberations 
would end in a grand Confederation of the British Pro- 
vinces, such as must prove beneficial to all, and an injury 
to none. They (the Delegates) met to enquire whether it 
were possible for the Provinces, from their present frag- 
2 



10 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

mentary and isolated materials, to form a Nation or 
Kingdom ; Canada of herself, though she was a large 
Country, with a vast and extensive interior, could not make 
a nation ; neither could the Maritime Provinces of them- 
selves become a kingdom. It was, therefore, essentially 
necessary that those national fragments and resources of 
all the Provinces should be concentrated and combined, in 
order that they, in their trade, intelligence, and national 
power and prosperity, might be rated as at least the fourth 
nation of the world. He concluded his address by com- 
plimenting the ladies, and referred to Francis the First, 
King of France, who was a chivalrous and brave King — 
for, said he, chivalry and bravery always accompany each 
other — who had said that festivities like those we had now 
the honor and pleasure to enjoy, without the ladies, was 
like a year without a Spring, and Spring without flowers. 
This, remarked the hon. and learned gentleman, cannot be 
said of the present assembly, for charming flowers were in 
their blooming beauty all around us, and he would fain 
wish that the flowers of Canada had the advantage of a 
contrast. After repeating his thanks for the honour con- 
veyed by the toast, the learned gentleman resumed his seat 
amidst great cheering. 

The Hon. Dr Tupper, Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia, 
said he felt that he would not do justice to the people of 
P. E. Island did he not render, on his own behalf as well 
as for all the Delegates present, his sincere and heartfelt 
thanks to the Government of this Colony and all classes 
of the community, for the generous hospitality and good- 
will manifested by them towards their brethren from the 
other Provinces, who were now assembled at Charlotte- 
town, on a mission, the momentous character of which he 
would not then attempt to describe. The deliberations of 
the Convention, he said, were conducted apart from the 
public, not because there was any desire to conceal its pro- 
ceedings, but in order that the confidential character of 
the Delegation might lead to speedier results. He felt 
assured that all would endorse the sentiment that it was 
oar duty and interest to cement the Colonies together by 
every tie that can add to their greatness. A Union of the 
North American Provinces would elevate their position, 



UNION OF THE BBITISH PROVINCES. 



11 



consolidate their influence, and advance their interests ; 
and at the same time continue their fealty to their Mother 
Country and their Queen, which fealty is the glory of 
us all. The British American statesman who does not 
feel it his duty to do all in his power to unite, politically, 
socially, and commercially, the British Provinces, is un- 
worthy of his position, and is unequal to the task com- 
mitted to him. We know full well that the strong arm of 
England is ever ready to be outstretched in our defence, 
should the Colonies ever have the misfortune to require its 
powerful aid in defensive operations. He was fully con- 
vinced that the great question of Colonial Union did not 
depend on the fluctuations incident to political parties. 
He believed this question would be safe if the political 
wheel in any of the Colonies were turned to-morrow. 
There were those in the ranks of the Opposition in all the 
Colonies who, he had no doubt, would lend their abilities 
to the advocacy of every measure calculated to unite the 
energies or elevate the status of the British North Ameri- 
can Provinces. If we would preserve the constitution 
under which we have the happiness to live, and that British 
connection so highly appreciated by us all, we should lend 
our aid for the consummation of that important event, the 
Union of the Provinces. 

The Hon. Adams G-. Archibald, Leader of Her Majes- 
ty's Opposition in Nova Scotia, followed Dr. Tupper, and 
said he would assure all, that in regard to this question 
they in Nova Scotia had no Government — no Opposition ; 
they were all one on this important subject. They want, 
as the Hon. Mr. Cartier very properly observed, to bind 
the Colonies together, and make of them one nation. 
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick feel that by joining to- 
gether they can become what in their present separated 
condition they never can be. Who but will admit that 
the man who five years ago would predict the present con- 
dition of the American States, would be called a false 
prophet — hence the necessity of their joining together. 
It would be the proudest day in the history of British 
America, when they would unite hand in hand, and form 
a nation, which, in all the elements that constitute real 
greatness, might be ranked as the third or fourth on the 



12 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

face of the globe. Well, then, said he, may we be proud 
of the inauguration of a movement, which at no very dis- 
tant day, will be looked upon as one of the greatest and 
most important events of the present age. He then allud- 
ed to the harmony and good-will which prevailed during 
all the deliberations of the Convention — in proof of which 
he adduced the fact that the Conference was about to ad- 
journ to Halifax, lest Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 
should, without further notice, become annexed to P. E. 
Island. 

The Hon. John M. Johnson, Attorney General of New 
Brunswick, returned thanks on behalf of that Province 
which he was appointed to represent in the Conference 
Chamber. He said he would like to make the Union one 
of the heart as well as of the understanding. We have the 
happiness to belong to a country second to none for the 
beneficence of her rule, the bravery of her sons, and the 
extent of her power — a country which differs materially 
from that across the border. The constitution under which 
we have the honor and happiness to be governed keeps 
constantly expanding with the wants of the people. Its 
elastic qualities can be adapted to the growing require- 
ments of its people. Hence the superiority over that of 
the States of America. The defects of their constitution 
have led to the present lamentable state of civil war into 
which they have been plunged. Well may we boast of the 
glorious constitution of old England. He concluded his 
remarks by expressing his gratification at the progress 
which had marked this Colony since his last visit some 
twenty years ago. It had been said, that when you see 
one scene on the Island you see all, such being the same- 
ness of its scenery, and its characteristic slowness. This, 
from his own personal knowledge, he could contradict ; for 
that which twenty years ago might be considered as barely 
attractive was now extremely captivating — -that which was 
then undeveloped and unimproved, has grown in beautiful 
proportions, rendering Prince Edward Island a place of 
no mean importance in British America, and one also 
which would be very materially benefitted in all its relations 
by its union with the other Provinces. 

The Hon. Col. John Hamilton Gray, M.P.P., for St. 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 13 

John, New Brunswick, and one also of the New Brunswick 
Delegates, then rose and expressed in chaste and eloquent 
terms his high appreciation of the hospitality of the people 
of Prince Edward Island, which, he said, " would not be 
readily effaced from the memories of the Delegates." 
Alluding to the influence of Union on the affairs of Prince 
Edward Island, Mr. Gray observed that one of the leading 
features of a Colonial Union would be an adjustment of 
the Land Question, which had for upwards of half a century 
retarded the progress of this Island. He was confident 
that whatever the nature of the Union might be, the diffi- 
culties under which the people of this Island had laboured 
relative to that long vexed question, would be forever 
settled. When, said the learned gentleman, the people of 
all British North America, should, with one voice, proclaim 
the Colonies united, and when their united talent and in- 
fluence shall be exercised for the maintenance and advance- 
ment of their common interests, prosperity, and happiness, 
every barrier to their advancement would be removed. The 
greatest drawback to this Island was its land tenures ; the 
removal of this grievance would certainly follow as the 
result of Colonial Union. The agriculturists of Prince 
Edward Island should, therefore be amongst the first to 
hail the day when British Colonial interests would be 
united against the continuation, any longer, of that system 
of Landlordism which has retarded and paralysed the 
energies of the farming population of the Colony. 

Hon. William McDougall, Provincial Secretary of 
Canada, said the main object of this Convention was to 
secure unanimity of sentiment on the important ques- 
tion of a Federation of all British America. He spoke of 
the differences existing between Upper and Lower Canada, 
but said they had common aspirations in connection with 
this subject. They all considered the absolute necessity of 
uniting the Provinces into one grand Confederation. They 
had no desire to sever their connection with the Mother 
Country. Their rights and liberties would remain un- 
touched. Their attachment to the throne and person of 
our beloved Sovereign the Queen would continue as un- 
sullied as ever. All they wanted was a concentration of 
the wealth, talent, resources, and all the inherent elements 



14 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

which British Americans possess, and which, when blended 
in one common country, would be capable of forming a 
Nation possessing no ordinary capabilities. He then said 
that, being an agriculturist, and feeling interested in that 
important branch of Colonial industry, he, in company 
with some friends, had taken a drive through a portion of 
this Island since his arrival here, and was much pleased, 
and he might add agreeably disappointed at the agricul- 
tural prosperity which met his view. The fertility of the 
soil, the salubrity of the climate, and the healthful appear- 
ance of the inhabitants, are indeed unsurpassed in any 
portion of Her Majesty's Colonial possessions. And he 
was free to admit that he would return to his Canadian 
home considerably subdued from what he had witnessed 
of agricultural science and skill on this lovely Island. 

The toasts which followed that in compliment to the 
Delegates, elicited speeches of asomewhat general character, 
and it is unnecessary to reproduce them here even in the 
limited proportions which they occupy in the local journals. 
But in all cases they made some reference to the Union 
Question ; and it will not be out of place, to give short 
extracts from some of the speeches made by the leading 
public men on this occasion, who, though not Delegates, 
fully coincided in opinion with those who were. 

The Hon. John Longworth, M.P.P., and Member of 
the Executive Council, in his capacity as Vice Chairman, 
proposed the toast of the " Army and Navy," and in doing 
so, made some appropriate preliminary remarks, and then 
observed : It is not necessary, that I should, dilate upon 
the prowess of our country's arms, or upon her military 
or naval achievements of past days, or to show that those 
branches of the service are entitled to our highest con- 
siderations. We know that our country stands high in 
the scale ot nations, that under her banners freedom is 
secured and the blessings of peace maintained and pre- 
served to her people ; and when we recognize the fact so 
forcibly referred to by our distinguished guest, Mr. Cartier, 
that Great Britain (including in the term Ireland, of 
course) and Imperial France, from one or other of which 



UNION OF THE BEITISH PROVINCES. 15 

the distinguished statesmen whom we have the honor to 
entertain to-night derive their ancestry — countries which 
after long years of rivalry, were now happily united together 
in the bonds of what we hope may prove a lasting peace, 
and were now marching forward together in the foremost 
rank of civilization ; and when we also reflect that the 
power and greatness to which our common country has 
attained is in a large measure due to the chivalrous bear- 
ing and indomitable courage of her sons, which have earned 
for them the respect of other nations — we could not but 
appreciate the merits of the military and naval power of 
Great Britain. He observed that we as Colonists, enjoy- 
ing the rights and immunities of British subjects, could 
not but feel a just pride in forming a part of so great an 
empire ; and, whatever the future destiny of these North 
American Colonies may be, whether linked together in a 
Federal Union or not, he felt assured that he spoke the 
sentiments of the inhabitants of this little Island, in com- 
mon with those of the larger and more important sister 
Colonies, when he expressed the hope, that the tie which 
now so happily bound them to the parent country would 
long be preserved, and that they, her children, while en- 
deavouring to emulate her in her moral and intellectual 
attributes, might continue to grow in national prosperity, 
and in loyal attachment to the Throne and Constitution of 
that Country. 

Hon. T. H. Haviland, M.P.P., responded to this toast. 
He said that his profession was that of the pen, and not 
the sword, but if his country required it, he hoped that he 
would be found, like Hampden, ready to take up arms for 
the defence of his country. Slaves, said he, can never be 
made of the three and a-half millions of British North 
Americans, who are as brave and as loyal a people as the 
sun ever shone upon. A people, too, who, if they go to- 
gether as their forefathers did in the days of Hampden, 
have nothing to fear from any foe. He alluded to the 
glorious constitution of old England as being the basis of 
our liberties — the revolution of Democracy — the current 
of which must be stemmed by the monarchial institutions 
of our common country. He spoke of the important 



16 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

character of the Convention — the momentous nature of its 
deliberations — and its effects upon the future destinies of 
the Colonies. He alluded to the superior knowledge and 
practical experience of the distinguished Delegates from 
Canada and the lower Provinces. He believed, from all 
that he could learn, that the Provinces would, ere long, be 
one great country or nation, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. 
Never, said he, was there such an important meeting as 
this held before in the history of British America ; and it 
may yet be said that here, in little Prince Edward Island, 
was that Union formed which has produced one of the 
greatest nations on the face of God's earth. 

The next toast, which enunciated the noble sentiment 
of " Fraternal Feeling " between all British Americans, 
having been proposed, was responded to by Frederick 
De St. Croix Brecken, Esquire, M.P.P., for Charlotte- 
town, who said that after hearing some of the most talented 
and experienced statesmen of Canada, Nova Scotia and 
New Brunswick, on the grave question which engaged their 
attention for the past week, he felt that it would be pre- 
sumptuous on his part to attempt a speech on the subject. 
He could not, however, refrain from expressing the grati- 
fication he experienced at hearing from their distinguished 
visitors how favourably they were impressed with what 
they had seen of the Island, and that they would return to 
their homes with new and enlarged ideas of our capabilities. 
It would appear from the remarks of some of the gentlemen 
that they were under the impression that some wooing 
and courting was necessary to induce us to join hands with 
the other Provinces. He would, however, assure them 
that we had no prejudices to overcome. We viewed the 
British North American Provinces as a portion of one 
great family, who owed and were bound to pay common 
allegiance to our Noble Queen. This was not a question 
for bringing foreign elements together ; he regarded it 
rather in the light of a family arrangement, in which the 
Island, as the youngest and smallest member, naturally 
looked after its own interest. He believed that at present 
public opinion in this Colony was adverse to a Union, but 
this might arise from a misapprehension of the question. 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES? 17 

What is required is to convince the people that their real 
and substantial interests will be advanced by the change ; 
they will then lend a willing ear to the proposition. Much 
as the people of Prince Edward Island value the privilege 
of having the entire control of their own affairs, and highly 
as they esteem the present representative of their Sovereign, 
they would, if once satisfied that their condition would be 
improved, willingly yield up the little paraphernalia of a 
very little Government for the more respectable and power- 
ful status of being part of Confederated British North 
America. He concluded his remarks by observing that 
whether a Union of the Colonies be effected or not, by the 
present Conference, he felt confident that beneficial results 
must flow from the interchange of sentiments and opinions 
that had taken place in the Conference Chamber, as well 
as at the festive board. 

Several other speeches were delivered at the Banquet, 
but they were not of sufficient importance, as connected 
with the Union Question, to require a place here. 



THE DELEGATION CONFERENCE IN 
NOVA SCOTIA. 

The Canadian and the other Provincial Delegates having 
left Charlottetown on Friday morning, the 9th September, 
in the beautiful steamship Victoria, belonging to the 
Canadian Government, which was specially detailed and 
appointed for the service of the Delegates — they arrived in 
Halifax on the following day, where the Delegates again 
met in Council on Saturday the 10th September. The 
meeting being a pro forma one, no business was done to 
change, in the least degree, the character of the Charlotte- 
town Conference. Every consideration was reserved for 
the then projected scheme of Confederation, which the 
Ministers of Canada proposed to submit in all its details 
at Quebec. 

3 



18 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

BANQUET IN HALIFAX— SPEECHES. 

In order to afford, however, to some of the statesmen of 
Canada, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, a 
further opportunity of explaining their views on the Union 
question, in a City of greater importance, size and wealth 
than Charlottetown, where the explanation could reach a 
larger number of the whole community, the Delegates of 
Nova Scotia entertained them at a sumptuous Banquet, in 
the Dining Hall of the Halifax Hotel, on Monday evening, 
the 12th September. The Hon. Charles Tupper, Provincial 
Secretary of Nova Scotia, acted as Chairman, and the Hon. 
W. A. Henry as Vice Chairman. His Excellency the Lieut. 
Governor of the Province, and His Excellency the Vice 
Admiral of the North American and West Indian station, 
graced the occasion by their presence. There were in attend- 
ance also, the Chief Justice, the President of the Legislative 
Council, several members of both branches of the Legis- 
lature, and many prominent persons connected with the 
public and learned institutions of the Province. 

After disposing of the usual loyal toasts in reference to 
the Koyal Family, the Chairman proposed, in a few 
eloquent and well chosen sentences the health of — 

The Lieutenant Governor, Sir Eichard Graves Mc- 
Donnell, C.B., who, after expressing his thanks for the 
honor thus conferred, and for the complimentary re- 
Tnarks of the Chairman, proceeded to say : — It would give 
me very great satisfaction were I to realize in the future 
tcourse of my administration one half of what the Provincial 
Secretary has ventured to anticipate ; but whatever I 
might wish to effect,' or whatever any individual might 
hope to accomplish, is nothing in comparison to that which 
a free and intelligent people have it in their own power to 
accomplish for themselves. (Cheers.) I have had some 
-experience, gentlemen, in the administration of public 
.affairs, and have at all events been able to learn this during 
my term of office— that there is no greater mistake in 



TJHIOH OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 19 

governing than governing too much. In a country like 
this, whose institutions have grown up under the auspices 
of the British throne and constitution — the freest ever 
known in history — a Governor must rely on his Ministry 
and on the people whose representatives they are, if he 
hopes to effect any real public benefit. Yet whilst he 
looks to the Ministry and to the people for assistance, it is 
his duty to aid by every means in his power the develop- 
ment of the intellect and education of the country, so that 
if power be given to the masses they may so use it as to pro- 
mote the general happiness and prosperity of the country. 
Therefore I feel that I am here in the discharge particu- 
larly of that duty, and I should be very sorry indeed if I 
had been absent on this occasion, which is so calculated to 
be pre-eminently serviceable, by leading the people of 
Nova Scotia to look beyond the limited horizon of every 
day life and take a survey of the general interests of all 
British America. As I stated when I had the great 
pleasure of meeting several representative men from the 
sister Provinces, on a recent occasion, it is the special duty 
of the Governor of the Colony which they visit to counten- 
ance re-unions such as this, and to be present with you. 
I cannot hope and certainly have no wish to divest myself 
altogether of that representative capacity which, whether 
I will or not, attaches to me, within the limits of Nova 
Scotia ; and I now prize it the more as giving me the 
privilege of expressing to your guests this evening, though 
feebly, on the part of the community at large of which for 
the time being I am the head, the pleasure which I know 
the whole Province experiences at our having with us, and 
under such special circumstances, such distinguished men 
as we have to-night, (Loud cheers.) I fee], Mr. Chair- 
man, that it is impossible for us to entertain in this room, 
or to meet in social intercourse, those who are so decidedly 
representative men of the British Colonies— and some of 
whose names before I expected to be among you had been 
familiar to me as historical names on this continent— 
without deriving from the mutual interchange of thought 
and experience some considerable advantage It is im- 
possible that such men should come here to discus the 
questions on which they have been deliberating without 
disseminating among us larger views, which must in due 



20 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

time— -sooner or later — bear their appropriate, and I hope 
fortunate, fruits. Nevertheless in my position you may 
expect that I should feel some reserve in speaking on that 
subject. There is, however, one great pleasure which any 
representative of the British Crown must feel — and very 
unlike what he must have often felt in the old days of our 
colonial history — viz., that no man is now really a repre- 
sentative of that crown, or of the feelings which animate 
Her Majesty's government, unless he has at heart the 
interests of the people among whom he is placed, and 
unless he be determined to promote these interests by all 
the means in his power. Therefore, gentlemen, I feel in 
that capacity there is very little reserve necessary on my 
part when I say in bidding you welcome that whatever 
may be the result of the deliberations of the delegates of 
the British Provinces, the Crown of England and the 
British Government have but one object in view, namely, 
to give the most indulgent consideration to whatever plan 
you yourselves may devise with a reasonable hope and pros- 
pect of promoting the social welfare and material progress 
of Her Majesty's subjects here. I have already alluded to 
the change which has come over the colonial administra- 
tion in late years — how very different it is from the days 
when we lost one of the finest portions of the earth, the 
neighboring States, through what would now be considered 
very great ignorance of the first principles of government, 
and very culpable mismanagement. Any gentleman serv- 
ing Her Majesty in the capacity that I do, must feel very 
differently from what one would in former days. He is 
not sent out to build up or maintain any monoply here for 
the benefit of parties in England. He has no such mission 
now ; and I have no hesitation in saying that Her Majesty's 
Government, though for obvious reasons unlikely to initi- 
ate any scheme of union amongst you, yet looks with an 
affectionate and parental interest on the proceedings which 
you have initiated. Though there may be a difference of 
opinion as to the measures which you are considering, Her 
Majesty's Government, equally with yourselves, is desirous 
that you should agree upon some unity of action, as to 
many matters in which you have a community of interest. 
Her Majesty's Government have not forbidden me to say 
this much, and I believe it is its intention to give the most 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 21 

favourable consideration to the result of the deliberations 
of the gentlemen who are now around this Board. I can- 
not help adding, as being personally more or less identified 
with Nova Scotia, that I trust whatever project may here- 
after be submitted to the united wisdom of the 
Legislatures of the different Provinces, in case these deli- 
berations ever ripen so far as to bear the fruit of a distinct 
proposition — that it will be such as will give the maritime 
provinces a worthy and adequate position. (Cheers.) At 
all events, their geographical position and their identity of 
interest point to some more intimate union amongst them- 
selves at least. Should that be accomplished in the first 
instance, I am sure our Canadian fellow-countrymen would 
not less willingly receive us when representing large 
revenues, and larger territories, and larger populations — 
all of which are matters which could not but have an effect 
even with a people so disinterested as those of Canada are. 
(Cheers and laughter.) 

The toast of the " Army and Navy " having been pro- 
posed by the Chairman, who referred, in a few felicitous 
remarks to the vast importance of these Services in main- 
taining, as they would do, when the hour of peril came, the 
connection between England and her Colonies — and the 
toast having been honoured with the usual enthusiasm, it 
was responded to, on behalf of the Army, by Commissary 
General Eouth ; and on behalf of the Navy, by — 

His Excellency Sir James Hope, K.C.B., Vice Admiral 
on the North American and West Indian Station. After 
expressing his thanks for the toast, His Excellency said : 
I am glad I have been able to be present, not simply on 
account of the personal gratification which is afforded me 
of making the acquaintance of so many gentlemen with 
whom I could hardly have hoped to meet under ordinary 
circumstances, but because not long from England I think 
that I may venture to say to you that the feelings of 
jealousy with which a project such as you now entertain 
might have been regarded not many years ago, are now 
entirely outgrown. We are now well assured of the strength 
of the ties by which you are bound to us — the tie of 
loyalty to a common Sovereign — the tie of a common 



22 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

kindred — the tie of many a name common to us all, and 
last, though not least, the tie of " Auld Lang Syne/' Rest 
well assured that your aspirations for nationality will find 
nothing else than a cordial response among us. I know 
that there are some who have now begun to tell us that the 
colonies and the mother-country will cease to be united when 
common interests cease, but I don't believe one word of 
that, and I am sure you don't believe it. Rest well assured 
that there are feelings which lie far deeper than that, and 
which are far nobler too, and those who tell us this have 
either never read history, or if they have read it, have 
never read it aright. (Cheers.) Only look back to the 
history of the best men in the War of Independence, what 
a severe wrench it was to sever them from their allegiance 
to the mother-country, and you can tell better than I how 
many descendants still live among you of those who sacri- 
ficed their all for loyalty to England. Can you forget 
when that young Queen presented herself to her Hungarian 
nobles — when she supposed that she was to be crushed by 
all the forces of Europe united — and held up her babe 
before them — can you forget the answer that they made ? 
" We will die for our Queen Maria Theresa," Now are 
there those who will tell us that England, who sent her 
best blood to the Crimea, would give a deaf ear to the cry 
of Canada in the time of peril, or do you doubt that if a 
son of our common Sovereign presented himself in British 
America, feelings deeper than those of self-interest 
would be stirred to their inmost depths ? Therefore it is, 
that I, looking to the glory and interest of my country, am 
able to say to you, in this project as in any other which is 
for your advantage and welfare, go on and prosper, (cheers). 

The next toast was : " The Provincial Delegates." In 
introducing it, the Hon. Charles Tupper, (Chairman), 
said : It is no secret to any person in this assemblage that 
a number of public men of Canada, New Brunswick, 
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, have been en- 
gaged for some time at Charlottetown in deliberating upon 
questions of the deepest importance to British America. I 
have had the pride and the satisfaction on the present oc- 
casion of asking my fellow citizens in Halifax to testify 
their appreciation of the visit of so many distinguished 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 23 

public men from all these provinces. I am, perhaps, safe 
in saying, that no more momentous gathering of public 
men has ever taken place in these provinces — whether re- 
garded as comprising the ablest and best men, not only of 
one party, but of both the great parties into which all 
these Colonies have been divided — the 'Ins/ and the 'Outs.' 
When I speak of Canada, it is true that on the 
present occasion only the Executive Government is repre- 
sented ; but I need not tell this assembly that which is no 
news to them, that on the great question which has en- 
gaged our deliberations, two parties who have stood in the 
most determined political antagonism to each other have 
been brought together. All minor considerations of 
questions of party have been merged into one common 
sentiment- — to unite, in order to elevate their country, and 
provide it with a stable and efficient Government. I feel, 
therefore, on the present occasion, that both of the great 
parties in these provinces are represented as fully as they 
could be. I may say, that engaged as we have been with 
these deliberations during the past week, I have the proud 
satisfaction of being able to state to this Assembly to-night 
that a more harmonious, or more united, or more cordial 
body of men, without a single exception, never were brought 
together in an endeavour to benefit their common country. 
I will go further, and say that I believe, and I have reason 
for believing so, that the great question in which they are 
engaged will receive at no distant day a satisfactory solution 
at 'their hands. But, even if that were not the case, if at 
present we should fail in devising such a system of Gov- 
ernment in these Colonies as would be calculated to unite 
us and consolidate our influence, and place us in a position 
not only to aid each other, but in the hour of danger and 
need to give that united co-operation to the Parent State 
which is due to her at our hands — even if our deliberations 
should fail, I say, still I am' confident they will not have 
been lost upon us, but will exercise a most salutary in- 
fluence. I believe the discussion of these questions would 
enable public men to co-operate on other matters as they 
have on this. 

The toast having being drunk — 

The Honorable George Etienne Cartier, Attorney 



24 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

General of Lower Canada, rose to return thanks on behalf 
of the Canadian Delegates. After a few preliminary re- 
marks, he said : — True it is that the deliberations of that 
Conference to which allusion has been made, have been to 
a certain extent carried on with closed doors ; but at the 
same time it must be known that the great object and the 
great question submitted to that Conference is nothing else 
than this : If there could not be any means devised by 
which the great national fragments comprised in each ot 
the British American Provinces could be brought together 
and made into a great nation ? Now here is the question : 
Shall we continue to remain separate Provinces, presided 
over, it is true, by a common Sovereign, our worthy and 
gracious Queen, but at the same time politically divided ? 
We know very well that there must be attached to that 
separation a certain amount of weakness, and it must be 
obvious to every one of us that if these Provinces can be 
brought together in one government they would be more 
powerful and more worthy of being an appendage to the 
British Crown. (Cheers.) The question, as I have sub- 
mitted it to you, is of very great importance, but is it a 
presumption on the part of those who have sent us together 
to deliberate on this matter ? I don't think so. I think 
there was good cause for this Conference, and that this is 
a most propitious time for holding it. When we consider 
that Canada has a population of 3,000,000, Nova Scotia 
350,000, New Brunswick nearly 300,000, Prince Edward 
Island very nearly 100,000, or a total population of over 
three million and a half, we see there is a sufficient per- 
sonal element in these Provinces to make a nation. When 
we come to the territory occupied by these Provinces, we 
see again another great element requisite for the foundation 
of a great State. I need hardly bring to your notice, 
gentlemen, that we in Canada have those two great ele- 
ments of nationality — the personal and territorial elements; 
but we know our short comings — that though great in 
territory and population, we want the other element which 
is absolutely necessary to make a nation, that is the 
maritime element. What nation on earth has obtained 
any amount of greatness unless it has been united with a 
maritime element ? We know that for a long time it was 
thought that the sea was a barrier to the progress of a 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 25 

people. I remember when the people of Great Britain 
were called the insulaires; yet this nation has managed to 
become the greatest power in Europe. Take again Aus- 
tria, great in territory and population, — take Prussia, even 
Kussia, or any of the great territorial powers — they have 
had a certain amount of power, but it is limited, for they 
have not had the sea to enable them to expand it ad infini- 
tum. Knowing as we do in Canada, that we possess so 
large a personal element — that we have cleared so much 
of our territory as would secure to us as respectable a 
position as many of the European Powers, we want to be 
something greater yet ; but that cannot be unless you unite 
with us. Nor must you lose sight of this fact, that though 
the Maritime Provinces occupy a sea board position, yet if 
they do not unite with us, they must be for all time to 
come only a mere strip of sea-shore. (Laughter.) We 
have too much love for you, I can assure you, and at the 
same time consideration for ourselves, to allow any such 
thing. (Renewed laughter.) Is it not within our power 
to form a vigorous Confederation, leaving to the local 
governments the power of dealing with their own local 
matters ? There are difficulties in the way, but they are 
susceptible of solution if managed with wisdom. All that 
is requisite to overcome difficulties is a strong will and a 
good heart. When I think of the nationality which can 
be formed if we can but bring the Provinces under one 
Federal Government, it seems to me I see before me — 
and I am now speaking by a sort of metaphor — a great 
British American nation, with the fair Provinces of New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia as the arms of the national 
body to embrace the trade of the Atlantic. None could 
make so fair a head as Prince Edward Island. This 
national body will then want a trunk, and we in Canada 
having the " Grand Trunk," can afford to be the trunk to» 
the nation. The two Canadas will stretch with their toes 
far out to the West, and bring as much as possible of the 
Western territory into the Confederation. When we are 
united in a system of Federal Government, one of the most 
important questions that will be submitted to us will be 
the defence of the country. As. it is now, we have each 
of us the will and determination to defend ourselves if at- 
tacked,— but can we, 4a so at present with efficiency? 
4 



26 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Take for instance, Prince Edward Island, or Nova Scotia, 
or New Brunswick, or the Canadas — can they defend 
themselves or help England in their defence, whilst sepa- 
rated as they are ? No, but united, one of the questions 
with which the General Government must deal will be 
that of Defence. We know very well that united the 
Militia of the Provinces could turn out to the number of 
at least 200,000, and then, with the 60,000 sailors that the 
Canadas and the Maritime Provinces could provide, to 
help the army and navy of England, what power would be 
crazy enough to attack us ? I have heard since I have 
been in Halifax, the objection thrown out that there is 
much danger that you would be absorbed. It will be very 
easy for me to dispel such fears. I answer them by a 
question : Have you any objection to be absorbed by com- 
merce ? Halifax through the Intercolonial Kailroad will be 
the recipient of trade which now benefits Portland, Boston 
and New York. If you are unwilling to do all in your 
power to bring to a satisfactory consummation this great 
question, you will force us to send all this trade which you 
ought to have through American channels. Will the 
people of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick be better off 
because they are not absorbed by commerce or prosperity ? 
It is as evident as the sun shines at noon that when the 
Intercolonial Eailway is built — and it must necessarily be 
built if that confederation takes place — the consequence 
will be that between Halifax and Liverpool there will be 
steamers almost daily leaving and arriving at the former — 
in fact it will be a ferry between Halifax and Liverpool. 
(Cheers.) We know very well too, that very many travel- 
lers would come to visit you at the sea side. When I am 
addressing myself to you on this question I must also 
dispel a certain amount of fear which I see exists in cer- 
tain minds, that if this union takes place the tie which 
connects us with England will be weakened. Now I be- 
lieve the contrary will be the case. I am living in a Pro- 
vince in which the inhabitants are monarchical by religion, 
by habit and by the rememberance of past history. Our 
great desire and our great object in making efforts to ob- 
tain the federation of the Provinces is not to weaken 
monarchical institutions, but on the contrary to increase 
their influence. We know very well that, as soon as 



rwT T 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 27 

confederation is obtained, the Confederacy will have to be 
erected into a Vice-Royalty, and we may expect that a 
member of the Royal Family will be sent here as the head. 
With regard to the feeling in England, I am sure they 
understand the question very well. Any one conversing 
with Englishmen, or reading the English papers, will see 
that the question which prevails there is the defence of the 
country. I may say at once that I dislike that school of 
Bright, Cobden & Co. I was glad to hear a little while 
ago, the brave and noble Admiral tell us that there is an 
under-current which is deeper than all that school. We 
know that all this utter indifference to colonial dependency 
only exists among a certain number of politicians ; but at 
all events it behoves us to be wise and take away from 
that school every cause of complaint which they may have 
against the colonial system. If we can organize our 
militia in such a way as to assure England that in any 
case of emergency we can help her, you may depend upon 
it that school will have no very long existence. Gentlemen, 
you must not be afraid of us who come from Canada 
because we represent a country greater in respect to popu- 
lation and territory. Don't be afraid of us, — don't tell us 
to go back with all our offers of no avail — don't tell us as 
it was said formerly of others : — 

Timeo Danaos, et dona ferentes. 

Let me assure you that the promises we make are made in 
all sincerity and good faith — in urging union upon you we 
believe we are doing that which will be for your happiness 
and prosperity. (Cheers.) 

The Hon. George Brown, President of the Executive 
Council of Canada, followed the Attorney General of Lower 
Canada, in a speech replete with statistical and other 
information. After a few introductory remarks, compli- 
mentary to the people of Halifax for their large and 
generous hospitality, the honorable gentleman said : — It 
may be expected that 1 should say a few words as to the 
object of our present mission ; and perhaps I cannot begin 
better than by noticing certain statements that have ap- 
peared in^ the public press, and which have received some 
credence in reference to our visit. It has been said that 



28 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

we have bad the opportunity before now of entering into 
closer union with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but 
we did not avail ourselves of it — that we were offered an 
Intercolonial railway, but refused to undertake it — and 
that we only come now seeking union with these Provinces 
to escape from our own sectional difficulties at home. Now, 
Sir, I am a member of the party in Canada, which up to 
this moment has been most strenuous in its resistance to 
the Intercolonial Railway ; and I am persuaded there is 
not one man in this assembly who, under similar circum- 
stances, would not have acted precisely as we did. In these 
Lower Provinces you have all had your political troubles, 
but we in Canada have had sectional difficulties to distract 
and embitter us vastly more serious than any you have 
had to contend with. Our Constitution of 1840 brought 
together under one government two countrieTpeopled by 
two races, with different languages, different creeds, and 
different laws and customs; and unfortunately, while mak- 
ing us nominally one people, it retained the line of demar- 
cation between Upper and Lower Canada, and gave the 
same number of representatives in Parliament to each 
section, without regard to their respective populations, 
their contributions to the general revenue, or any other 
consideration. The disproportion between the two sections 
gradually increased, until Upper Canada has 400,000 
people more than Lower Canada,and pays full three-fourths 
of the whole national taxation, — but all the while the 
Lower Canadians had equal representation with us in both 
Houses of Parliament. A systematic agitation for the 
redress of the great wrong was commenced in Upper 
Canada — and as the only means of enforcing justice, we 
resisted all large schemes of improvement, we refused to 
enter into any new undertakings involving an increase of 
our public debt until a reform of our constitutional system 
was obtained, and we knew what our future position as a 
people was to be. We regarded the apparently far-off 
scheme of Federation of the whole Provinces as no remedy 
for our present wrongs, and we scouted the idea of build- 
ing more railroads from the public chest until the tax- 
payers who were to bear the burden of their construction, 
had their just share of control over the public purse. 
Long and earnestly did we fight for the justice we demand- 



UNIOJf OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 29 

ed, but at last light broke in upon us. Parties were 
nearly equally balanced, the wheels of government had 
nearly ceased to move, a dead lock was almost inevitable, 
when Mr. Cartier, who wields great power in Lower Canada 
boldly and manfully took the ground that this evil must 
be met, and he would meet it. On this basis, I and two 
political friends, * joined the Administration, and the ex- 
isting coalition was formed expressly for the purpose of set- 
tling justly and permanently the constitutional relations be- 
tween Upper and Lower Canada. We have agreed to a 
principle of settlement acceptable to a large majority of the 
representatives in Parliament, and, I am also persuaded, to 
the great mass of our people in both sections of the Province. 
We are pledged as a Government to place before Parlia- 
ment at its next session a Bill giving effect to the con- 
ditions of our. compact, — and should the union of the 
whole Provinces jgiot be proceeded with, our Canadian 
Reform Bill will go on and our grievances be redressed.. 
You will therefore clearly perceive that we have not come 
here to seek relief from our troubles — for the remedy of 
our grievances is already agreed upon, and come what may 
of the larger scheme now before us, our smaller scheme 
will certainly be accomplished. Our sole object in coming 
here is to say to you — " We are about to amend our con- 
stitution, and before finally doing so, we invite you to enter 
with us frankly and earnestly into the inquiry whether it 
would or would not be for the advantage of all the British 
American Colonies to be embraced under one political 
system. Let us look the whole question steadily in the 
face — if we find it advantageous let us act upon it, but if 
not, let the whole thing drop. This is the whole story of 
our being here — this is the full scope and intention of our 
present visit. But, sir, there is another objection raised. 
It is said that the debt of Canada is very great, our tax- 
ation is heavy, and that we seek to throw a portion of our 
burdens on the shoulders of our neighbors. Now, I belong 
to the party of economy in Canada — the party that has 
resisted the increase of the public debt and taxation, and 

* The Honorable William McDougall, Provincial Secretary, and 
Member of Parliament for North Lanark, Upper Canada, and the 
Honorable Oliver Mowatt, lately Postmaster General, and now Lord 
Chancellor for Canada. 



30 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

has loudly complained of their rapid advance — but large 
as our debt and taxation undoubtedly are for a young 
country, the people of Canada are abundantly able to bear 
it all and much more without assistance from any quarter 
whatever. (Cheers.) Were our burdens much greater 
than they are, we would but have to stand still in our extra- 
ordinary expenditures for a few years, and the rapid 
increase of our population, industrial energy and wealth 
would easily enable us to overcome it all. And if gentle- 
men who make this suggestion would look narrowly into 
the finances of their own Provinces — and having regard 
to the populations of their respective countries,will compare 
them with ours, I fancy they will find no great disparity 
between our respective burdens. Sir, it ought not excite 
any surprise that the Federation of all the British North 
American Provinces is at last presented to us» as a practical 
question. The subject has often and again been discussed 
in the press and in Parliament, but at no time has any 
Provincial Statesman ever expressed a doubt that the fit- 
ting future of these Colonies was to be united under one 
Government and Legislature under the sovereignty of 
Great Britain. But two questions ever sprang up at once 
in considering so great a movement — Have the Colonies 
yet gained such a strength as to warrant their undertaking 
such a charge ? — and could such terms be agreed upon 
and such a constitution be framed as would be acceptable 
to the whole of the Provinces ? These questions are as 
serious and needful to be met at this hour, as they ever 
were in the past. It is no light matter to change the whole 
political and commercial relations of any country. In 
these Colonies, as heretofore governed, we have enjoyed 
great advantages under the protecting shield of the mother 
country. We have had no army or navy to sustain, no 
foreign diplomacy to maintain — our whole resources have 
gone to our internal improvement — and notwithstanding 
our occasional strifes with the Colonial Office, we have en- 
joyed a degree of self-government and generous consider- 
ation such as no colonies in ancient or modern history ever 
enjoyed at the hands of a parent state. Is it any wonder 
that thoughtful men should hesitate to countenance a step 
that might change the happy and advantageous relations 
we have occupied towards the mother country ? I am 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 3J 

persuaded there never was a moment in the history of 
these Colonies when the hearts of our people were so firmly- 
attached to the parent state by the ties of gratitude and 
affection as at this moment; and for one I hesitate not to 
say, that did this movement for colonial union endanger the 
connection that has so long and so happily existed, it would 
have my firm opposition. (Cheers.) But far from fearing 
such a result, a due consideration of the matter must 
satisfy every one that the more united we are, the stronger 
will we be — and the stronger we are, the less trouble we will 
give the Imperial Government, the more advantageous 
Will be our commerce, and the more proud they will be of 
us as a portion of the Empire. Our relation to the Mother 
Country does not, therefore, enter into the question. 
Whether the right time for a general union has arrived, 
must be determined by a close examination into the pre- 
sent position of all the Provinces, and the possibility of 
such an arrangement being matured as will be satisfactory 
to all concerned. And that, Sir, has been the work in 
which the Conference has been engaged for two week's 
past. We have gone earnestly into the consideration of 
the question in all its bearings, and our unanimous con- 
clusion is, that if terms of union fair to all and acceptable 
to all could be devised, a union of all the British American 
Provinces would be highly advantageous to every one of 
the Provinces. (Loud cheers.) In the first place, sir, from 
the attitude of half a dozen inconsiderable colonies, we 
would rise at once to the position of a great and powerful 
state. At the census taken on 12th January, 1861, the 
population of the Provinces was as follows :— 

Upper Canada 1,396,091 

Lower Canada 1,111,566 

Nova Scotia.. ^330,857 

New Brunswick 252,047 

Newfoundland 122,635 

Prince Edward Island 80,857 

Total in 1861 3,294,056 

But since then nearly four years have elapsed, and the 
average increase meanwhile, calculated at fifteen per cent, 
makes the population of the six Provinces at this moment 



32 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

3,787,750. And if to this we add the large numbers 
necessarily omitted in countries so vast and sparsely settled, 
we will find that our total population, in the event of a 
union, would from the start be not much less than four 
millions of souls. (Cheers.) And there is perhaps a 
better way of measuring our strength than by mere num- 
bers — and that is, by comparing ourselves with other 
countries. Now there are in Europe forty-eight Sovereign 
States. Of these there are no fewer than than thirty-seven 
containing less population than would the united British 
North American Provinces — and among them are no less 
prominent countries than Portugal, Holland, Denmark, 
Switzerland, J Saxony, Hanover and Greece (cheers)— all 
of which are inferior to us in population. There are but 
eleven states in Europe superior to us in population ; and 
three of these are so little in advance of us that a very few 
years would undoubtedly send us far ahead of them. The 
three are Sweden and Norway, containing 6,349,775 
people — Belgium, containing 4,782,255 — and Bavaria, 
with 4,689,837. These three once passed, and but eight 
European States would be in advance of us. (Cheers.) And 
let us see how we would stand in regard to the question of 
defence. I find by the Census returns of 1861, that the 
male persons then in the provinces were as follows : — 

Upper Canada From 20 to 30—128,740 

30 to 40— 84,178 
40 to 50— 59,660 
50 to 60— 36,377 

308,955 

Lower Canada From 20 to 30— 93,302 

30 to 40— 59,507 
40 to 50— 42,682 
50 to 60— 30,129 

225,620 

Nova Scotia From 20 to 60 67,367 

New Brunswick — From 21 to 40— 33,574 

40 to 50— 10,739 
50 to 60— 7,312 

51,625 

Newfoundland-— -From 20 to 60 25,532 



tWION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES; 33 

Prince E. Island — From 21 to 45— 11,144 

45 to 60— 3,675 14,819 



a. 



Total Males from 20 to 60 693,918 

Of this enormous body of men, about 150,000 were between 
the years of 45 and 60 — but striking them all off and 
throwing off fifty thousand for the lame and the halt, we 
would have still left half a million of able bodied men 
ready and willing to defend their country. (Cheers.) But 
let us look at the aspect we should present to the world in 
an industrial and commercial point of view. And first let 
us examine the agricultural interest. From the Census 
Keturns it appears that there were in 1861 no fewer than 
333,604 farmers in the six British American Provinces, 
and 160,702 laborers, of which doubtless a very large pro- 
portion are farm laborers. It also appears that the land 
granted by government and now held by private parties in 
the Provinces is not less than 45,638,854 acres — of which 
13,128,229 are under cultivation, and the balance has yet 
to be brought into use. These lands are thus distributed: — 

Held. Cultivated. 

Upper Canada 17,708/232 6,051,619 

Lower Canada .13,680,000 4,804,235 

Nova Scotia 5,748,893 1,028,032 

New Brunswick 6,636,329 835,108 

Newfoundland, about 100,000 41,108 

Prince Edward Island.... 1,365, 400.. 368,127 



45,638,854 13,128,229. 

And mark the enormous amount of produce obtained from 
these cultivated lands. I compile from the Census Returns 
of the' several Colonies the following results as our united 
crop in the year 1860 : — 

Wheat bushels 28,212,760 

Barley " r. 5,692,991 

Rye " 1,934,583 

Peas " 12.302,183 

Oats..... ".... 45,634,472 

5 



34 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Buckwheat bushels . 3,648,450 

Indian Corn " 2,624,163 

Beans " 75,755 

Potatoes " 39,485,246 

Other Boots " 23,730,706 

Grass Seed " 115,345 

Hay tons 2,242,596 

Hops lbs 300,439 

Maple Sugar " 16,782,872 

Wool " 7,010,914 

Flax and Hemp " 2,183,759 

Butter " 52,570,886 

Cheese " 4,602,065 

Beef bbls., 200 lbs 134,562 

Pork u " 581,802 

At a fair valuation, these crops will be found to sum up to 
the enormous amount of nearly one hundred and twenty 
millions of dollars — and if to this we add the increase on 
the number and value of the farm stock during the year, 
and the value of garden and orchard produce during the 
year, and the improvements in clearing and fencing and 
buildings during the year — we will come safely to the con- 
clusion that the products of our fields and gardens in I860, 
was not less than $150,000,000. (Cheers.) The assessed 
value of our farm lands in 1860 was upwards of $550,000,- 
000. And then, if we consider that our agriculture is yet 
in its infancy — that only a small portion of the thirteen 
millions of acres in pasture and under the plough is yet in 
high cultivation and much of it almost in a state of nature 
— that thirty millions of good lands over which the plough 
has not passed are yet in private hands — and that vast 
quantities still remain with government for disposal — some 
slight conception may be gained of the future agricultural 
capabilities of the united British American Provinces. 
(Cheers.) But, Mr. Chairman, if our position would be 
so remarkable as an agricultural people, our union would 
give us almost as high an attitude before the world as a 
great Maritime State. By the census of 1861 it appears 
that four years ago the sailors and fishermen of the six 
Colonies summed up no fewer than 69,256. (Cheers.) 
There were 






UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 35 

In Upper Canada 808 

In Lower Canada 5,150 

In Nova Scotia 19,637 

In New Brunswick 2,765 

In Newfoundland 38,578 

In Prince Edward Island 2,318 



Total sailors and fishermen 69,256 

Setting aside the unspeakable value of such a body of men 
in defence of the country, the commercial returns from 
their industry must be very great. The exports of fish 
alone from the united provinces amounted to no less a sum 
than nearly ten millions of dollars. I have been unable 
to ascertain with accuracy the number and tonnage of the 
shipping owned and sailed in British America — but this 
we do know, that last year no fewer than 628 vessels were 
built within our borders, having an aggregate tonnage of 
230,312 tons. (Cheers.) These vessels were distributed 
thus : — 

Built in Canada 158 vesssels ■ 67209 tons. 

' " Nova Scotia 207 " 46,862 " 

" New Brunswick 137 " 85,250" 

" Newfoundland 26 "about 6,000" 

" P. E. Island 100 " 24,991" 



Total 628 vessels 230,312 tons 

And highly gratifying as are these results, they are the 
product of two branches but yet in their infancy and both 
capable of great extension. I might continue this analysis 
through our whole industrial pursuits and show you one 
and all of them in the same high state of efficiency — I 
might tell you how we exported last year $15,000,000 in* 
timber alone — I might expose to you the rapidly increas- 
ing importance of our Coal Mines, our Gold Fields, ou>r 
Copper Mines, our Iron Works and our Petroleum Wells. 
— I might enlarge on the fast rising importance of our 
manufactures — but already I have detained you far longer 
than I intended and must come to a close. Let me, how- 
ever, wind up with this, that were the Provinces all united 
to-morrow, they would have an annual Export trade of no 



36 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

less than $65,000,000, and an Import traffic to an equal 
amount — they would have two thousand Hve hundred 
miles of railway ; telegraph wires extending to every city 
and town throughout the country, and an annual govern- 
ment revenue of nearly thirteen millions of dollars. (Cheers) 
Mr. Chairman, it needs no special wisdom to perceive that 
a state presenting such resources and offering such varied 
and lucrative employment to the immigrant and the capital- 
ist, would at once occupy a high position and attract to it 
the marked attention of other countries. It would be 
something to be a citizen of such a state. Heretofore we 
have been known as separate colonies, and the merits and 
disadvantages of each compared and set off against the other 
— but with union the advantages of each would pertain to 
the whole, — a citizen of one would be a citizen of all — and 
the foreign emigrant would come with very different feel- 
ings of confidence to our shores. In England we should 
occupy a very different position from what we have ever 
done as separate and feeble colonies. I cannot agree with 
my hon. friend, Mr. Cartier, in his opinion as to the great 
political party in Great Britain that has done so much to 
break the fetters of trade and raise the commerce of Eng- 
land to its present unexampled point of high prosperity. 
But regretting, as all must do, the extreme colonial views of 
Messrs. Bright and Cobden and their political friends, who 
cannot fail to see that a union of the whole Provinces would 
have the effect of inspiring respect even with that school 
of public men, and commanding confidence in our com- 
mercial future. The doubt and uncertainty as to the future 
of these Colonies that have hung so long and so injuriously 
over us, would be greatly modified by the union ; and our 
securities would sensibly feel the effect in the money market 
of the world. How different a position, too, would we oc- 
cupy in the eyes of our American neighbors. Instead of 
appearing in their commercial returns as separate buyers, 
we would stand out unitedly as their very best customer — 
and we would be able to deal with them for a permanent 
renewal of the Reciprocity Treaty, under advantages that 
we have not enjoyed before. But far in advance of all 
other advantages would be this, that union of all the Pro- 
vinces would break down all trade barriers between us, and 
throw open at once to all a combined market of four 



tTNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 37 

millions of people. You in the east would send us your 
fish and your coals and your West India produce, while 
we would send you in return the flour and the grain and 
the meats you now buy in Boston and New York. Our 
merchants and manufacturers would have a new field before 
them — the barrister in the smallest provinces would have 
the judicial honors of all of them before him to stimulate 
his ambition — a patentee could secure his right over all 
British America — and in short all the advantages of free 
intercourse which has done so much for the United States, 
would at once be open to us all. One other argument 
there is in favor of the Union that ought with all of us to 
weigh most seriously, and that argument is, that it would 
elevate the politics and the politicians of our country 
(cheers) — it would lift us above the petty strifes of small 
communities, and give to our public affairs a degree of 
importance and to our leading public men a status very 
different from that they have heretofore occupied. On a 
survey of the whole case, I do think that there is no doubt as 
to the high advantages that would result from a union of 
all the Colonies— provided that terms of union could be 
found just to all the contracting parties, and so framed as 
to secure harmony in the future administration of affairs. 
That is the unanimous conclusion of the Conference, and 
I am persuaded that when the facts are before the country 
it is a conclusion that will be cordially endorsed by the 
people of all the Provinces. But it were wrong to conceal 
for a moment that the whole merit of the scheme of union 
may be completely marred by the character of its details. 
The consideration of the details has already received in an 
informal manner the earnest attention of the Convention. 
I commit no indiscretion in saying that as yet we have 
arrived at no formal conclusion as to any of those details — 
and I am sure you will feel we are right in studiously re- 
fraining at present from all discussions of our views in 
regard to them. A formal meetiug for their earnest and 
mature consideration will be held at an early day — and 
when difficulties have been removed and our plans matured, 
the whole scheme will be placed fully and frankly before 
our constituents in all the Provinces. The hon. gentle- 
man resumed his seat amid applause. 



38 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

The Honorable S. L. Tilley, Provincial Secretary and 
Leader of the Government of New Brunswick, in replying 
to the toast on behalf of that Province, said : — I must con- 
fess that I rise under no ordinary degree of embarrassment 
to-night. We are summoned here by the representatives of 
royalty, and surrounded by the ablest men that Canada has 
produced at the present day ; and I am quite sure that the 
feelings which embarrass me at the present moment will be,- 
to a certain extent, participated in by my friends of New 
Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, when they reflect on 
the insignificance of our position in comparison with that of 
the great country so ably represented by the men who have 
already spoken. I may say with regard to the question 
which we have been considering during the past week, 
that I do not intend to keep my mouth quite as close as 
my friend Mr. Brown. I don't hesitate to declare my own 
sentiments upon one or two matters which I consider are 
of some importance. I may state here emphatically as one 
of those delegates constitutionally appointed for the pur- 
pose of considering the Union of the Maritime Provinces, 
that I am decidedly in favor of that proposition ; but I am 
prepared, at the same time, if an arrangement equitable to 
these Provinces, can be made, to expand this union and 
have a general confederation. I have been in favor of a 
Union of the Maritime Provinces because it has been my 
good fortune to represent my government in delegations in 
England, in Canada, and in Nova Scotia, either for the pur- 
pose of increasing or improving our inter-colonial communi- 
cation, or extending our trade ; and I don t hesitate to say 
that in every step we have made we have been frustrated 
by the existence of these separate Legislatures and Govern- 
ments. Mr. Chairman, I made a visit to Nova Scotia 
some years ago, in order to extend, if possible, our trade 
relations, but when we sat down to consider this, what did 
we find ? We found that any manufacture sent over to 
New Brunswick from Nova Scotia, was met by a duty of fif- 
teen per cent., and any from my own province to this one had 
to pay ten per cent. It is just the same as if a man going 
from Cumberland into Colchester was met by a duty on 
his products. We have tried our best to remedy the evil 
and to remove these absurdities, but we found difficulties 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 39 

presenting themselves at almost every step. The expendi- 
ture in some of the Provinces requires a large revenue, and 
therefore the imposition of large duties. The raw material 
in some pays two per cent., in another it is free; and so you 
will perceive that where that article is free, that province 
would have a great advantage over the other. Then, again , 
when we were discussing the subject of an Intercolonial 
Kailway, what did we find ? We found at once a differ- 
ence in the interests of the respective Provinces. In 
Upper Canada, we found that the people were opposed to 
the project because it was so far from them, and would 
not create an expenditure in Canada. And then, as my 
friend, Mr. Brown, has told you, they have had their constitu- 
tional difficulties to settle before this railway could be built ; 
and I am glad to hear that these difficulties have been 
settled. When we go to Lower Canada we find objections 
also meeting us there. We go to Nova Scotia, and we 
hear you say : You have large territories to be opened up, 
and the road is of greater advantage to you than to Nova 
Scotia. In New Brunswick, they say : all the trade is to 
be carried away from that Province to Halifax. Now sup- 
pose we were all drawn together into one confederation, 
you would not be met with these difficulties in any of your 
negotiations. If you wanted to secure intercolonial free 
trade or an inter-colonial railway, then there would be no 
trouble. How much more effectually could measures of 
self-defence be arranged if we were all united ; and I don't 
hesitate to say that the time is not far distant when we must 
do more than we have done heretofore. It is shewn that we 
have a population of nearly four millions ; that our exports 
reach $1 30,000,000 ; that the value of our agricultural 
property amounts to $150,000,000 ; that our assessed pro- 
perty is put down at $'550,000,000 ; under these circum- 
stances, knowing, as I believe I do, something of the spirit 
and intelligence of the people of these Colonies, they are 
prepared to say, that in view of the privileges we enjoy, 
and the responsibilities which we ought to assume, we are 
ready to pay our share for the defence and the maintenance 
of the liberties of our country. When it is said that those 
who are engaged in securing the confederation of the 
Maritime, or of the whole of the Provinces, do so because 
the Imperial Government desires it, I say that those who are 



40 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

acting in common with me, and I think I have had abun- 
dant opportunities of knowing it, are actuated by higher 
motives. I believe there are no feelings on the part of the 
Imperial Government that are antagonistic to these Colo- 
nies. We have had it from the lips of those distinguished 
gentlemen sitting by you, sir, that they are ready to as- 
sent to any proposition in reference to the provinces which 
is likely to advance their happiness and promote their 
prosperity. If arrangements can be satisfactorily com- 
pleted, so that the interests of each province will be main- 
tained, I can see no objection to a confederation of the 
whole. We are in the Lower Provinces a manufacturing 
people to a large extent, and we would, to the whole of 
British America, occupy the same position that Massachu- 
setts does to the United States. Eeference has been 
made to our proceedings having been carried on secretly. 
I think any man who reflects upon the delicacy of our mis- 
sion — and knows that we have been discussing it in a merely 
conversational matter — must see that it was absolutely ne- 
cessary that such informal discussions should be carried on 
with closed doors ; but when we have come to some conclu- 
sion, then it will be submitted to our respective Legislatures. 
We have only one common object in view — the promo- 
tion of the prosperity of these Provinces, their advance- 
ment, socially and politically ; and I can assure you that 
all of us fully feel the importance and responsibility of the 
trust that has been placed in our hands (Cheers.) 

The Honorable Colonel Gkay, Premier of Prince Ed- 
ward Island, and President of the Convention of Mari- 
time Delegates, spoke, also, on behalf of his Colony, in 
the following terms : — If an old practised politician like 
Mr. Cartier approaches this subject with diffidence and 
hesitation, how much more must I feel who am the 
youngest politician, if indeed one at all. Perhaps it 
would display a far greater amount of wisdom if I would 
observe a complete reticence ; but, Mr. Chairman, there 
are points with regard to which I feel called upon to deal 
shortly — the one being that which involves my giving 
thanks to the people of this city for their reception of my- 
self and colleagues, and the other being my firm resolve 
upon all public occasions to raise my voice in order to 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 



41 



disabuse the public mind on a subject on which consider- 
able misapprehension exists — I allude to our public de- 
fences. The people of the Colony in which my lot isat 
present cast, have been so long intimately connected with 
Nova Scotia — so much unity has ever existed between 
them in all their relations, that I consider no union is 
necessary between them further than that which already 
exists. I have always entertained great prognostics as to 
4 the future of this city ; I look upon it as certain to be the 
London of the Western Confederation ; but throwing aside 
the politician let me speak individually. I have had some 
little acquaintance with many countries in the four quar- 
ters of the globe, and I have come to the conclusion that 
in the city of Halifax hospitality has taken her seat. — 
(Cheers.) I thank you cordially on behalf of the Colony 
I represent, for myself and colleagues, for the high honor 
you have conferred upon us in the toast which has been pro- 
posed. But there is a question which I think deeply upon, 
and that is one on which I may offer an opinion. I consider 
that a considerable amount of misapprehension has arisen 
in reference to the question of self-defence, both on the 
part of the profession in which I passed so many years of 
my life, and of those of our fellow-colonists who appear to 
me to underrate themselves, and to forget from whom they 
are descended. It has been asserted that in case of an in- 
vasion — and I suppose that in any war that might arise, 
it would be one of self-defence on our side simply — that 
our frontiers cannot be maintained, but that the regular 
soldiery would have to withdraw and concentrate behind 
fortifications, and that the militia of the Confederation 
would be scattered like a flock of sheep. I take issue with 
those that assert this. To my old comrades I would say, 
that when that day arrives I hope I may not live to see 
them taking positions behind stonewalls. Their place has 
ever been in the front, and there they must ever be. To 
my fellow colonists, I would say, why underrate your 
capabilities ? Consider what vvas the conduct of the Militia 
of Britain during the Crimean war. I remember, during 
that period, when serving on the Staff of a General Officer 
in the Mediterranean, we had two Kegiments of the Lan- 
cashire farmers counted worthy to hold the all important 
fortress of Gibraltar ; — at Malta the glistening bayonets of 



42 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

the brave men of Kent lined the ramparts, and at Corfu 
that important post washeld by the stout yeomen of Nor- 
folk ; and need I remind the men of a Province which has 
lately sent forth a Williams, an Inglis, the saviour of 
India, a Welsford and a Parker to add imperishable lustre 
to the arms of Britain, that they have plenty such, quite 
as capable of holding Quebec, Montreal, St. John or Hali- 
fax. (Cheers.) Only let a wise and vigorous policy be 
adopted, let our Militia be armed and organized as they 
will be proud to be, and standing shoulder to shoulder 
with their brethren of the Koyal Army, should the day of 
trial arrive when our gallant neighbors forget that,descend- 
ed from the same stock and lineage, we ought to live in 
peace and amity as brothers, then we will be prepared to 
shew them that, profitting by their own example in days 
gone by, there are four millions of free men in these pro- 
vinces not unworthy descendants of their sires. (Cheers.) 
I have now but to say that whatever may be the result of 
our deliberations, the people we represent may rest assured 
that we approach the consideration of this grave and mo- 
mentous question in all its bearings with a full sense of 
our solemn responsibilities. 

Hon. Dr. Tupper then proposed as the next toast, 
" Colonial Union," coupling with it the name of Hon. J. 
A. McDonald, Attorney General for Canada West. 

Hon. J. A. Macdonald then rose amid loud cheers, and 
spoke as follows : My friends and colleagues, Messrs. 
Cartier and Brown, have returned their thanks on behalf 
of the Canadians for the kindness bestowed upon us, and 
I shall therefore not say one word on that subject, but 
shall approach the question more immediately before us. 
I must confess to you, sir, and to you, gentlemen, that I 
approach it with the deepest emotion. The question of 
" Colonial Union" is one of such magnitude that it dwarfs 
every other question on this portion of the continent. It 
absorbs every idea as far as I am concerned. For twenty 
long years I have been dragging myself through the dreary 
waste of Colonial politics. I thought there was no end, 
nothing worthy of ambition, but now I see something 
which is well worthy of all I have suffered in the cause of 



UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 43 

my little country. This question has now assumed a posi- 
tion that demands and commands the attention of all the 
Colonies of British America. There may be obstructions, 
local difficulties may arise, disputes may occur, local jeal- 
ousies may intervene, but it matters not — the wheel is 
now revolving, and we are only the fly on the wheel, we 
cannot delay it — the union of the colonies of British 
America, under one sovereign, is a fixed fact. (Cheers.) 
Sir, this meeting in Halifax will be ever remembered in 
the history of British America, for here the delegates from 
the several provinces had the first opportunity of express- 
ing their sentiments. We have been unable to announce 
them before, but now let me say that we have arrived 
unanimously at the opinion that the union of the provinces 
is for the advantage of all, and that the only question that 
remains to be settled is, whether that union can be arranged 
with a due regard to sectional and local interests. I have 
no doubt that such an arrangement can be effected, that 
every difficulty will be found susceptible of solution,and that 
the great project will be successfully and happily realized. 
What were we before this question was brought before the 
public mind ? Here we were in the neighborhood of a large 
nation — of one that has developed its military power in a 
most marvellous degree — here we were connected by one 
tie only, that of common allegiance. True it was we 
were states of one Sovereign, we all paid allegiance to the 
great central authority, but as far as ourselves were con- 
cerned there was no political connection, and we were as wide 
apart as British America is from Australia. We had only 
the mere sentiment of a common allegiance, and we were 
liable, in case England and the United States were pleased 
to differ, to be cut off, one by one, not having any common 
means of defence. I believe we shall have at length an 
organization that will enable us to be a nation and protect 
ourselves as we should. Look at the gallant defence that 
is being made by the Southern Kepublic — at this moment 
they have not much more than four millions of men — not 
much exceeding our own numbers — yet what a brave fight 
they have made, notwithstanding the stern bravery of the 
New Englander, or the fierce elan of the Irishman. — 
(Cheers.) We are now nearly four millions of inhabitants, 
and in the next decennial period of taking the census, perhaps 



44 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

we shall have eight millions of people, able to defend their 
country against all comers. (Cheers.) But we must 
have one common organization — one political government 
It has been said that the United States Government is a 
failure. I don't go so far. On the contrary I consider it 
a marvellous exhibition of human wisdom. It was as 
perfect as human wisdom could make it, and under it the 
American States greatly prospered until very recently; but 
being the work of men it had its defects, and it is for us 
to take advantage by experience, and endeavor to see if we 
cannot arrive by careful study at such a plan as will avoid 
the mistakes of our neighbors. In the first place we know 
that every individual state was an individual sovereignty 
— that each had its own army and navy and political or- 
ganization — and when they formed themselves into a con- 
federation they only gave the central authority certain 
specific powers, reserving to the individual states all the 
other rights appertaining to sovereign powers. The dan- 
gers that have risen from this system we will avoid if we 
can agree upon forming a strong central government — a 
great central Legislature — a constitution for a Union 
which will have all the rights of sovereignty except those 
that are given to the local governments. Then we shall 
have taken a great step in advance of the American Ke- 
public. If we can only obtain that obj ect — a vigorous gen- 
eral government — we shall not be New Brunswiekers, nor 
Nova Scotians, nor Canadians, but British Americans, 
under the sway of the British Sovereign. In discussing 
the question of colonial union, we must consider what is 
desirable and practicable ; we must consult local preju- 
dices and aspirations. It is our desire to do so. I hope 
that we will be enabled to work out a constitution that 
will have a strong central Government, able to offer a 
powerful resistance to any foe whatever, and at the same 
time will preserve for each Province its own idenity — and 
will protect every local ambition ; and if we cannot do this 
we shall not be able to carry out the object we have now 
in view. In the Conference we have had we have been 
united as one man — there was no difference of feeling — 
no sectional prejudices or selfishness exhibited by any one ; 
— we, all approached the subject feeling its importance ; 
feeling that in our hands were the destinies of a nation ; 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 45 

and great would be our sin and shame if any different 
motives had intervened to prevent us carrying out the no- 
ble object of founding a great British Monarchy, in con- 
nection with the British Empire, and under the British 
Queen. (Cheers.) That there are difficulties in the way 
would be folly for me to deny ; that there are important 
questions to be settled before the project can be consummate 
ed is obvious ; but what great subject that has ever attracted 
the attention of mankind has not been fraught with diffi- 
culties? We would not be worthy of the position in 
which we have been placed by the people if we did not 
meet and overcome these obstacles. I will not continue 
to detain you at this late period of the evening, but will 
merely say that we are desirous of a union with the Mari- 
time Provinces on a fair and equitable basis : that we de- 
sire no advantage of any kind, that we believe the object 
in view will be as much in favor as against these Maritime 
Colonies. We are ready to come at once into most inti- 
mate connection with you. This cannot be fully procured, 
I admit, by political union simply. I don't hesitate to say 
that with respect to the Intercolonial Railway, it is under- 
stood by the people of Canada that it can only be built as 
a means of political union for the Colonies. It cannot be 
denied that the Railway, as a commercial enterprise, 
would be of comparatively little commercial advantage to 
the people of Canada. Whilst we have the St. Lawrence 
in Summer, and the American ports in time of peace, 
we have all that is requisite for our purposes. We recog- 
nize, however, the fact that peace may not always exist, 
and that we must have some other means of outlet if we 
do not wish to be cut off from the ocean for some months 
in the year. We wish to feel greater security — to know 
that we can have assistance readily in the hour of danger. 
In the case of a union, this Railway must be a national 
work, and Canada will cheerfully contribute to the utmost 
extent in order to make that important link without which 
no political connection can be complete. What will be 
the consequence to this city, prosperous as it is, from that 
communication ? Montreal is at this moment competing 
with New York for the trade of the great West. Build 
the road and Halifax will soon become one of the great 
emporiums of the world. All the great resources of the 



46 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

West will come over the immense railways of Canada to 
the bosom of your harbor. But there are even greater 
advantages for us all in view. We will become a great 
nation, and God forbid that it should be one separate from 
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.— 
(Cheers.) There has been a feeling that because the old 
colonies were lost by the misrule of the British Govern- 
ment, every colony must be lost when it assumes the reins 
of self-government. I believe, however, as stated by the 
gallant Admiral, that England will hold her position in 
every colony — she will not enforce an unwilling obedience 
by her arms ; but as long as British Americans shall retain 
that same allegiance which they feel now, England will 
spend her last shilling, and spill her best blood like wine 
in their defence. (Cheers.) In 1812 there was an Ameri- 
can war because England empressed American seamen. 
Canadians had nothing to do with the cause of the quarrel, 
yet their militia came out bravely and did all they could 
for the cause of England. Again, we have had the Ore- 
gon question, the Trent difficulty, question after question 
in which the Colonies had no interest, yet we were ready 
to shoulder the musket and fight for the honor of the 
mother country. It has been said that England wishes to 
throw us off. There may be a few doctrinaires who argue 
for it, but it is not the feeling of the people of England. 
Their feeling is this — that we have not been true to our- 
selves, that we have not put ourselves in an attitude of de- 
fence, that we have not done in Canada as the English have 
done at home. It is a mistake: Canada is ready to do her 
part. She is organizing a militia, she is expending an enor- 
mous amount of money for the purpose of doing her best for 
self-protection. I am happy to know that the militia of 
Nova Scotia occupies a front rank ; I understand by a ju- 
dicious administration you have formed here a large and 
efficient volunteer and militia organization. We are fol- 
lowing your example and are forming an effective body of 
militia, so that we shall be able to say to England, that if 
she should send her arms to our rescue, at a time of peril, 
she would be assisted by a well disciplined body of men. 
Everything, gentlemen, is to be gained by Union, and 
everything to be lost by disunion. Everybody admits that 
Union must take place sometime. I say now is the time. 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 47 

Here we are now in a state of peace and prosperity — now 
we can sit down without any danger threatening us, and 
consider and frame a scheme advantageous to each of these 
colonies. If we allow so favorable an opportunity to pass, 
it may never come again ; but I believe we have arrived at 
such a conclusion in our deliberations that I may state 
without any breach of confidence — that we all unitedly 
agree that such a measure is a matter of the first necessity, 
and that only a few (imaginary I believe) obstacles stand 
in the way of its consummation. I will feel that I shall 
not have served in public life without a reward, if before I 
enter into private life I am a subject of a great British 
American nation, under the government of Her Majesty, 
and in connection with the Empire of Great Britain and 
Ireland. (Loud cheers.) 

Dr. Tupper then gave, as the next toast, " British 
American Commerce/' coupling with it the name of the 
Hon. Mr. Gait, Finance Minister of Canada. 

Hon. Mr. Galt, in reply, said: — I must confess that I feel 
very great reluctance in rising to address you at this late 
hour of the evening. I feel that the remarks made by gen- 
tlemen who have preceded me have exhausted this subject. 
We must all of us have listened with satisfaction to the 
views which have fallen from previous speakers. Though 
it be true that England's position is due in a great mea- 
sure to her adherence to constitutional usage, yet at the 
same time,we cannot but see that after all,the commerce, in- 
dustry, and intelligence of the people are the true sources of 
her greatness. I feel proud to be permitted to say a few 
words this evening — an evening which I consider as form- 
ing an era in the history of British America. Whatever 
may be our views with regard to constitutional questions, 
there can be no doubt entertained by any of us that our 
interests are identical in endeavoring to increase the trade 
and commerce that should exist between the different 
families of British America. I believe the Union of these 
Provinces must cause a most important change in their 
trade. Union is free trade among ourselves. Perhaps in- 
surmountable difficulties may prevent us carrying out any 
such thing whilst separated, but when united our inter- 



48 tTNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

course must be as free as between Lancashire andYorkshire. 
The free intercourse between the States of the American 
Union — free trade in the interchange of products, has 
had more to do with their marvellous progress than any- 
thing that was put in their constitution. Give us Union 
and the East shall have free trade with the West. We 
shall have a common interest in each other's proceedings. 
We shall feel that the political connection is the introduc- 
tion to the commercial connection. We have had a com- 
mercial connection with the great cities of the States, but 
we have not had political union with them. We have not 
that affection for them which we have for the cities of 
Britain. We desire to foster this affection. But, whilst 
we may all be agreed that in a political and commercial 
sense we should be united, yet there may be grounds that 
forbid the banns. It may be said that the extravagance 
of some of the members render this union undesirable. 
In regard to this question I think those gentlemen who 
hear me will be perfectly satisfied to leave it in the hands 
of the men who represent the Lower Provinces in the Con- 
ference. If the union with the Canadas is to be attended 
with such disadvantages, we may be sure they will see 
it. I don't wish that this audience should go away with the 
idea that we Canadians, in coming down here, and bringing 
this subject before you, are actuated by any other object 
than feelings of patriotism. Therefore, I will briefly say 
this, that notwithstanding the differences that may exist 
in the tariffs and excise laws of each of the Provinces, 
there is practically very little difference indeed in the 
amount per head. New Brunswick raises probably the 
highest, Nova Scotia the least, and Canada occupies a cen- 
tral position. Looking also at the respective debts, we 
find that they bear the same proportion per head as in 
the case of the Excise and Customs. If we are united we 
must have an Intercolonial Kailway. I am an advocate 
of this great work, and it becomes an absolute necessity if 
a union of these Provinces is to take place at all. Under 
the last proposition seven-twelfths was to be built by the 
Lower Provinces, but if the Union is agreed upon, and 
three millions of Canadians are to bear a share of the cost 
proportionate to the 600,000 in the Lower Provinces, you 
will get the best of the bargain. But the railway is not to 



tTNION OF THE BKlTISH PROVINCES. 49 

be looked upon as a question of cost, but as a bond of 
union, that will unite us in peace andin time of need — and 
God forbid the latter should ever arrive. I may venture to 
say that there is nothing we can more lament than the de- 
plorable war that is disturbing the neighboring States. 
Situated as we are, we cannot look upon the calamities that 
are decimating our neighbors without feeling the deepest 
regret. We cannot but trust that nothing may arise to 
break up the friendly relations that exist between us ; but, 
at the same time, it is our duty to provide against all con- 
tingencies. If ill-feelings should arise, then the Intercolo- 
nial Railway would be of the highest importance to us. 
It would enable the strength of the Maritime Provinces to 
be available for Canada, and allow us to obtain that assist- 
ance from Great Britain which she will ever accord us 
when we need it. Let us trust that the difficulties which 
now stand in the way of the great object we have in view 
will be firmly taken in hand, and overcome ; and that the 
people of these Provinces, feeling that union is strength, 
will do their utmost in assisting the men who are strug- 
gling to bring it about. (Cheers.) 

A few other toasts, which did not bear directly on the 
question of Union, were then proposed and honored in the 
usual way. Amongst these was one in reference to Agri- 
culture and Emigration, which called forth an eloquent 
speech from the Hon T. DArcy McGee, Minister of Agri- 
culture for Canada, characterised by wit and humor. The 
wit, though bright and genial, was evanescent, and pointed 
by allusion to local objects and persons. Shortly after Mr. 
McGee's speech, the company separated. 



THE DELEGATES IN NEW BRUNSWICK. 

Leaving Halifax the morning after the Dejeuner there, 
the Delegates from the Maritime Provinces, and several of 
the Canadian Ministers, proceeded to Fredericton, the 
seat of Government for the Province of New Brunswick, 
where they held a consultation with His Excellency Lieut. 
6 



50 UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 

Governor Gordon, concerning the object of their mission, 
and where an informal Conference, similar to that at 
Halifax, was also held. This Conference was of the same 
private and confidential character as those at the two pre- 
vious places, and no public record of it has yet appeared. 



PUBLIC DINNER AT ST. JOHN, N. B. 

The Delegates from Nova Scotia and Prince Edward 
Island, together with several of the Canadian Ministers, 
having visited, by invitation, the Commercial Metropolis 
of New Brunswick, the City of Saint John — were enter- 
tained at a Public Dinner in St. Stubbs' Hotel, given by 
the New Brunswick Delegates, on the evening of the 14th 
September. The local press describes the entertainment 
as a very superior one, highly creditable to the hosts and 
to the caterer of the establishment, Mr. James Mcintosh. — 
The Chair was occupied by the Hon. Colonel John 
Hamilton Gray, M.P.P., (one of the New Brunswick 
Delegates), and the Vice Chair was filled by the Hon. 
Charles Watters, M.P.P., Solicitor General of the Province. 

The cloth being removed, and the usual loyal toasts 
given with all the honors, the Chairman proposed — 

" Our Friends from Canada, Nova Scotia, and Prince 
Edward Island — " 

In doing so, he referred, in felicitous terms, to the gen* 
erous reception which had been given to himself and his 
brother Delegates from New Brunswick by the Govern- 
ments and peoples of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward 
Island. 

The George Etienne C artier, Attorney General of 
Lower Canada, was the first to address the company in 
response to the toast. After alluding to the visit made to 
the Lower Provinces by some of his friends and fellow 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 51 

countrymen in Canada, during the summer of 1864, and 
dwelling on the grateful impressions of hospitality which 
they carried home with them, he said — there are matters 
upon which men are sometimes called to express themselves 
which are often considered tiresome, but to give expression 
to the feelings of the heart was never tiresome, and this 
he would now take delight in doing. The subject which 
most deeply engrossed his thoughts concerned the welfare 
and prosperity of his country, and by that word he meant 
the whole of British America. Prosperity such as this 
great country was capable of attaining to, could never be 
fully enjoyed until the several sectional parts of it were 
united under the same political and commercial systems — 
their respective populations brought into closer relations 
with each other, and all the maritime facilities alike 
afforded to all which Nature had so bountifully bestowed 
upon some of the parts. This was what Confederation 
proposed to accomplish. Canada has population and 
territory sufficient to make a great nation in course of 
time. But she wants what the Lower Provinces possess — 
an outlet to the sea. As the Lower Provinces now stand, 
they are comparatively weak and powerless — and the 
wealth, labor, and industry which Canada possesses, go, in 
a great measure to enrich such cities as New York, Boston 
and Portland. This must continue to be the case until 
the inter-colonial railway, of which he had ever been an 
advocate, shall be built ; and as soon as the Colonies were 
confederated, the construction of that work would undoubt- 
edly commence. He said it had been urged against 
Confederation, that such a change in our constitution 
would make us republican, and gradually lead to a final 
separation from the mother country. But he believed it 
would have the contrary effect — that it would bind us 
more closely to that country, and probably secure to us 
the vice-royalty of a prince of the reigning family. With 
regard to the question of defence, which was inseparable 
from the general subject, he was confident that when 
England saw we were self-reliant to a great extent, and 
capable of organizing a large military and naval force for 
mutual protection, and which union would only enable us 
to do — she would cheerfully come to our assistance, with 
all her vast power, in any difficulty that might arise, 



52 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Canada had been accused of insincerity in her dealings 
with the Maritime Provinces, and this led to the formation 
of a strong prejudice against accepting the proposals of 
his province for confederation ; but he assured every one 
who listened to him that Canada was unjustly accused ; and 
that her Ministers did not come there to urge them by 
undue means into the adoption of any scheme of union ; 
but fairly to point out to them the enormous advantages, 
which, in a commercial point of view, their merchants, 
traders, and manufacturers would derive from having a 
market of four millions of people for the exchange of their 
several commodities, instead of being restricted to the small 
and scattered populations which now compose the Lower 
Provinces, where their industry is hampered by Custom 
House regulations, different in each. After a few further 
remarks, the honorable and learned gentleman sat down 
amidst loud and long continued cheers. 

The Honorable George Brown, President of the Ex- 
ecutive Council of Canada, then rose and spoke to the fol- 
lowing effect. He agreed with the sentiments expressed 
by bis friend Mr. C artier. Canada had no wish, even if 
she had the power — which she had not — to force these 
Provinces into a Union — she only (Jesired to propose fair 
terms under which such a measure might be effected. It 
remained for these Provinces to accept or reject them He 
hoped to see all the Provinces united, and they would no 
doubt then constitute one of the first nations in the Wes- 
tern Hemisphere. They had every advantage — : a sea 
coast on the east, with great fishing, mining, and agricul- 
tural resources ; and a vast territory on the west, contain- 
ing countless millions of arable land. In Canada there 
were three millions of inhabitants — there were thirteen 
millions of acres of land only half cultivated, and thirty 
millions of acres actually in the possession of settlers, but 
under no cultivation, with millions upon millions of acres 
yet lying unreclaimed from their wilderness state, which 
would, at some future day, be inhabited by thrifty farmers, 
producing breadstuff's for the Lower Provinces, while they 
received the manufactures of those Provinces in return. 
What a happy and prosperous state of affairs would thus 
be presented when compared with the present isolated con- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES: 53 

dition of the Provinces ! New Brunswick, for instance, 
instead of being confined to its own small market of 250,- 
000 consumers, would have four millions of customers. 
Far away on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains 
were the rich gold fields of British Columbia, awaiting the 
enterprise and capital of our people, and in the direction 
of which immigration was now steadily flowing. It was 
not unreasonable to suppose that rich deposits would also 
be discovered on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountain 
range, which would be the means of attracting vast crowds 
of the surplus populations of Europe, thousands of whom 
would halt in their progress westward and settle upon the 
fertile lands of all these provinces, thus adding to the 
common wealth by their productive industry and enhanc- 
ing the greatness of the Confederacy. He had no doubt 
that one of the first results of Confederation would be the 
construction of a railway from Halifax to the Pacific, 
affording an outlet to the Atlantic, through British, and 
not through foreign territory, for the rich products of 
Canada and the far west. — There was another practical 
view of the question, which should not be lost sight of: it 
was incumbent upon these provinces to make some provi- 
sion for protecting themselves in times of danger. It was 
evident that the British Government had determined to 
throw them, in a great measure, upon their own resources, 
of which the withdrawal of the British troops from Canada 
was an unmistakeable sign. United, the provinces could 
readily organize a force of 500,000 men for field duty, 
besides about 70,000 marines. — The honorable gentleman 
then referred to the great commercial resources and the 
extent of shipping now possessed by the provinces in their 
youth, and showed how rapidly these would increase when 
there would be freer intercourse between them all, and a 
closer identity of interests. — He could not speak of what 
had taken place at the Convention at Charlottetown ; but 
this he would say, that all the members of it were desirous 
of having a larger measure of union than the one at first 
proposed, if the details could be arranged in a satisfactory 
manner. The Canadian members of Government present 
at the Convention were clothed with no official authority, 
but a new Conference would shortly take place, in which 
all the details of a plan of Confederation would be examin- 



54 UNION OF THE BRITISH O VINCES. 

ed with the greatest care, which, if it went into operation, 
would place us all on an equal footing as British Ameri- 
cans, instead of being as now, sectional provincialists with 
divided interests. The honorable gentleman resumed his 
seat amidst loud cheers. 

The Honorable Charles Tupper, M.P.P., Provincial 
Secretary of Nova Scotia, next addressed the assemblage. 
He had for a long time, he said, favored the project of a 
federation of the provinces. He referred to the circum- 
stance of having deliverd a lecture before the Mechanics' 
Institute of St. John in favor of this measure. It was 
then stated in some of the local papers that in so acting he 
was not influenced by patriotic motives, but rather from a 
desire to obstruct the government of Nova Scotia against 
which he was in opposition. He re-delivered the lecture 
in Portland, (N. B.,) on which occasion he combatted the 
arguments or assertions brought against him, and clearly 
defined his position in reference to the question. One of 
his first acts, after coming into office in Nova Scotia, was 
to agitate for a confederation or union of some kind with 
the other Lower Provinces. To a union with Canada he 
was not at that time so favorable, because of its large debt. 
But he was anxious to hear the statesmen from that coun- 
try give their views on the measure ; and having heard 
them, he was free to confess that many of his apprehen- 
sions regarding a union with Canada had been removed. 
He believed that the Canadian Government were actuated 
by honest and patriotic motives in seeking a political alli- 
ance with their fellow subjects in the Lower Provinces, 
which would give strength to each and every portion of 
the Confederacy, which they could scarcely hope for in 
their present disunited state. They were weak and de- 
fenceless, living at the threshold, and it might be, at the 
mercy of a great military nation. To command the 
respect of such a neighbor, and the maintenance of peace- 
ful relations, it was necessary to show that they had the 
power to enforce both the one and the other ; and there 
was no surer way of accomplishing this than by a union of 
all the provinces. After a few further remarks the honor- 
able gentleman resumed his seat amidst applause. 

The Honorable Colonel J. H. Gray, President of the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 55 

Executive Council of Prince Edward Island, expressed 
himself warmly, but briefly, in favor of Confederation. He 
had, before leaving England, in order to take up his resi- 
dence in the land of his birth, resolved to use his influence 
in favor of this measure, and he hoped to see it effected at 
least in his lifetime, when a railway from Halifax to Van- 
couver's Island would bring us in speedy communication 
with the rich and ancient countries washed by the Pacific, 
bearing their treasures to us, and carrying the fruits of our 
industry to them. 

The Honorable George Coles, M.P.P., (P. E. Island,) 
then followed in a short and playful speech. Canada, he 
said, had come down to the Maritime Provinces, and his 
little daughter, P. E. Island, had been wooed, but had not 
yet been won. The blandishments of the wooer had not 
altogether prevailed. Before he would consent to the 
wedlock, he should understand fully whether Canada, 
with her expansive territory and great debt, was able to 
maintain her in the connection as well as she was in her 
present condition. The prospect, however, he frankly 
confessed, seemed to favor a happy and prosperous Federal 
Union* 

" The Colonial Union," having been proposed as a 
sentiment by the Chairman — 

The Hon. A. T. Galt, Finance Minister of Canada, 
promptly responded to a call made upon him, and pro- 
ceeded to review the financial condition of the several 
provinces. While Canada, he said, did not appear to 
occupy as favorable a position in a financial point of view 
as the Lower Provinces, each one of which had a surplus 
in its favor at the end of the fiscal year, yet Canada should 
be credited with the vast improvements which were being 
constantly made to develope its resources ; and this year, 
(1864), she would have a large balance in her favor 
against her expenditure. Her debt might appear large, 
but her population was larger in proportion to her debt 
than that of New Brunswick, and the actual taxation on 
the citizens of Canada was not, all things considered, so 
heavy as the taxation in New Brunswick. Alluding to 



56 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

the efforts that had been made in Canada to improve the 
communication between the St. Lawrence and the ocean, 
and to the large expenditure of money for the construction 
of railways, all tending to the same result, those things, he 
said, were undoubtedly a heavy charge upon the public 
treasury of Canada, but the people were deriving vast 
benefits from the outlay,, and its advantages would be felt 
more sensibly hereafter when the back country was opened 
up, and its immense resources to some extent developed. He 
was glad to find that in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 
efforts were being made to open up their wilderness country. 
These efforts would, of course, entail new obligations, but 
their ability to meet them would be enchanced, as was the 
ease in Canada. Though much had been said in reference 
to the debts of the respective Provinces from time to time, 
their position did not appear to be correctly known. Taxes 
imposed on the people in the provinces were derived from 
two sources — Customs and Excise. From these 'sources 
the debt and expenses of government are paid. In the 
case of Nova Scotia, if he rightly remembered, the taxes 
were $2.32 per head; in Canada, $2.50 ; and in New 
Brunswick, $2 56. Thus it would be seen that Canada 
would not be such a burthen to her sister Provinces as 
some persons imagined. As regards the Intercolonial 
Railway, it was well known that the; Canadian Govern- 
ment had some time ago agreed to bear five-twelfths of 
the cost of constructing that work', and that the other 
seven-twelfths were to be borne by Nova Scotia and New 
Brunswick. Should the Union be consummated, this 
work must be done, and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick 
will only have to bear their share of the cost in proportion 
to their population, which will be very considerably less 
than the seven-twelfths. Under the old arrangement, 
before a Federal Union was contemplated, Canada's pro- 
portion would be very much the smallest, being but §2 50 
per head, while that of New Brunswick w^ould'be $14 per 
head. He then referred to the commercial advantages of a 
union, which would confer upon t 1 ae Colonies benefits 
similar to those which have been enjoyed by the United 
States in consequence of their union, their free trade and 
uniform tariff. — In framing the constitution for British 
America, the errors of the Republican Union were avoided. 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 57 

The rebellion which distracted that Union was, in some 
measure, caused by slavery, and to a very great extent, by 
what was known as state rights. Of course, the question 
of slavery could never be an element of discord with the 
united provinces, and as regards " state rights/' collision 
might be easily avoided in reference to that subject by 
clearly defining the powers of the central Government as 
totally distinct from the authority which should be vested 
in the local legislatures. [After a few further remarks, as 
the local report reforms us, Mr. Gait sat down, having 
left the most favorable impression on the minds of his 
hearers as to the advantages of Colonial Union.] 

Speeches were made by several other gentlemen, 
amongst whom were, the Hon. William McDougall, Pro- 
vincial Secretary of Canada ; the Hon. Mr. McCully, one 
of the Nova Scotia Delegates ; the Hon. Mr. Palmer, one 
of the Prince Edward Island Delegates ; the Hon. Mr. 
McGee, Minister of Agriculture for Canada ; and the 
Honorables Messrs. Gray and Tilley, New Brunswick 
Delegates, — but it appears that no report of their speeches 
was taken ; at least, no report has been published. The 
St. John papers, however, state that their speeches, as well 
as the foregoing, were all highly in favor of a Union of 
the Provinces. 



THE VOYAGE TO QUEBEC. 

The Government of Canada having named the 10th of 
October as the day on which it would be desirable to com- 
mence the new Conference at Quebec, the beautiful Steam- 
ship Victoria, commanded by Capt. Pouliot, and owned by 
the Canadian Government — was despatched to the Mari- 
time Provinces for the purpose of conveying the Delegates 
to the ancient capital of Canada. She arrived at Pictou, 
N. S., on the 5th of October, where the Nova Scotia Dele- 
gates came onboard of her, together with His Excellency 



58 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCE*. 

Sir Kichard Graves McDonnell, Lieutentant Governor of 
the Province, and also his amiable Lady and their servants. 

Arriving at Charlottetown about noon on Thursday, 
6th of October, a delay of four hours was made, which 
time was employed in driving around the City and suburbs, 
under the guidance of the Hon. Colonel Gray — also in a 
brief visit to His Excellency Governor Dundas, at Govern- 
ment House, and in partaking of a sumptuous Luncheon 
at Inkerman House, the residence of Col. Gray. Shortly 
after three o'clock the same day, the party — including the 
Prince Edward Island Delegates, with the exception of 
Mr. Secretary Pope and the Hon. Mr. Coles, who had 
proceeded to Quebec by way of Portland — were conveyed 
to the Victoria, anchored in the roadstead, and in a few 
minutes she was ploughing her way to Shediac, N. B., at 
which place it was arranged that she should call for the 
New Brunswick Delegates. Arriving off the harbor of 
Shediac about 10 o'clock, p. m., she anchored there until 
the morning, and then steamed closer in to the harbor, 
when, after the delay of a few hours, five of the New 
Brunswick Delegates came on board — two others, Messrs. 
Secretary Tilley and Hon. Mr. Chandler, having proceeded 
by the Portland route, The Victoria then at once pro- 
ceeded on her voyage up the Gulf and Eiver St. Lawrence ! 

The voyage was rendered interesting by the presence of 
many ladies, whose number included the wife and daugh- 
ter of the Provincial Secretary of Nova Scotia ; the wife 
and daughter of the Hon. A. G Archibald, Delegate from 
the same Province ; the daughter of the Hon. Col. Gray, 
of New Brunswick ; two daughters of the Hon. W. H. 
Steeves, and a daughter of the Hon. Charles Fisher, two 
Delegates from the last named Province ; and the daugh- 
ter of the Hon. Col. Gray, and Mrs. Alexander, sister of 
the Hon. Mr. Haviland, of Prince Edward Island. 

The Steamer was most abundantly provided with every 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 59 

comfort and luxury that could be desired, and these were 
dispensed with an unsparing hand by direction of the 
obliging Captain, in regard to whom and his staff of 
officers, and male and female servants, it is only just to 
observe that they were untiring in their exertions to con- 
tribute in every possible way to the happiness of their 
guests. 

Notwithstanding all the discomforts of a sea voyage* 
when the chilling blasts and the lowering skies of autumn 
succeed the warm sunshine and the gentle breeze of sum- 
mer — notwithstanding, too, that other discomfort attend- 
ing the payment of tribute to Neptune — too rigidly exacted 
when the weather is least agreeable — yet the trip up the 
St. Lawrence had many attractions for the voyagers — the 
deck of the noble Steamer was seldom deserted by prome- 
naders during daylight and long after dark — the bold 
scenery of the St. Lawrence, after passing the mouth of the 
River, being a special object of admiration. To attempt 
a description of the scenery of the majestic River would 
be out of place in a compilation of this kind, especially 
when glowing descriptions can be readily found in the 
pages of the poet and tourist. 

On Saturday evening, the 8th, a violent gale and snow 
storm occurred, which continued during the whole night, 
in consequence of which the ship made little progress — 
the engine being stopped at frequent intervals to enable 
the officers to take soundings, and use every precaution 
that could secure the common safety. Early on Sunday 
the gale abated, and putting on full steam, the Victoria 
pursued her voyage in gallant style, reaching her wharf 
at Quebec at an early hour the same evening. 

Apartments having been provided by the Government 
of Canada, at the St. Louis Hotel, for all the Delegates 
and their lady companions, they were immediately, on 
landing, conveyed thither, where they were most sumptu- 



60 ttnioit op the British provinces. 

ously entertained during their whole stay in Quebec, as 
the guests of the Canadian Government. 



THE CONFERENCE AT QUEBEC, 

On Monday, 10th of October, at 11 o'clock, the full 
Conference met in the Parliament Buildings — the whole 
Canadian Ministry, consisting of twelve, being present ; 
there were five Delegates from Nova Scotia ; seven from 
New Brunswick ; two from Newfoundland ; and seven 
from Prince Edward Island. The names of all the gen- 
tlemen who sat in Conference are as follow : — 

CANADA. 

Sir Etienne P. Tache, Premier, 

Hon. J. A. McDonald, Attorney General, West, 

Hon. G. E. Cartier, Attorney General, East, 

Hon. Wm. McDougall, Provincial Secretary, 

Hon. George Brown, President of Executive .Council, 

Hon. A. T. Galt, Financial Minister, 

Hon. A. Campbell, Commissioner of Crown Lands, 

Hon. Oliver Mowatt, Postmaster General, 

Hon. Hector Langevin, Solicitor General, East, 

Hon. James Cockburn, Solicitor General, West. 

Hon. T. D'Arcy McGee, Minister of Agriculture, 

Hon. J. C. Chafais, Commissioner of Public Works. 

NOVA SCOTIA. 

Hon. Dr. Tupper, Provincial Secretary, 

Hon. W. A. Henry, Attorney General, 

Hon. K. B. Dickey, 

Hon. Jonathan McCully, 

Hon. A. G. Archibald. 

NEW BRUNSWICK. 

Hon. S. L. Tilley, Provincial Secretary, 

Hon. John M. Johnson, Attorney General, 

Hon. Peter Mitchell, 

Hon. Charles Fisher, 

Hon. Edward Chandler. 

Hon. W. H. Steeves, 

Hon. John H. Gray. 



UNION OF -THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 61 

NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Hon. F. B. T. Carter, Speaker of the House of Assembly, 
Hon. Ambrose Shea. 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 

Hon. Col. Gray, Premier, 

Hon. Edward Palmer, Attorney General, 

Hon. W. H. Pope, Provincial Secretary, 

Hon. George Coles, 

Hon. T. Heath Haviland, 

Hon. Edward Whelan, 

Hon. A. A. McDonald. 

The Conference was organized by the unanimous election 
of Sir Etienne P. Tache, Chairman, who, on taking the 
Chair, commented briefly on the vast importance of the 
object that was to be brought under the consideration of 
the Convention ; he said he relied on the forbearance and 
co-operation of the Delegates to enable him to discharge 
the duties of the Chair; and then, in a few eloquent sen- 
tences, he tendered to the gentlemen composing the respec- 
tive Delegations from the Maritime Provinces, a cordial 
welcome on behalf of the Government and people of 
Canada. He fervently hoped that their Mission would be 
productive of great advantage to all the provinces, and 
would be agreeable to themselves. 

The Provincial Secretaries of the several Provinces were 
then elected Honorary Secretaries to the Conference, and 
Major Hewitt Bernard was appointed Executive Secretary. 

The first and second days of the Conference were chiefly 
occupied in regulating the modes of proceedure ; and as 
soon as these were disposed of, the Delegates addressed 
themselves to the general question of a Federal Union. 
Some admirable speeches were delivered by several of the 
Delegates, (which were not reported, as the Conference 
sat with closed doors ;) and all, without one dissenting 
voice, pronounced in favor of Union. The main principle 
having been affirmed, the Conference entered at once on 



62 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

the work of arranging the details of a Constitution for the 
proposed Federation* 

" DKAWING KOOM" AND KECEPTION OF THE 
DELEGATES. 
On the evening of the 11th October, His Excellency the 
Governor General held a " Drawing Koom" in the Council 
Chamber of the Parliament Buildings, when the Delegates 
from the Maritime Provinces were formally presented to 
His Excellency before a vast and brilliant assemblage? 
including almost every person of note or influence in the 
Naval, Military, Volunteer and Civil Services of the Pro- 
vince, together with the leading members of the best 
society to be found in the social circles of Quebec and 
vicinity. A lengthy description of the " Drawing Koom" 
appears in the Quebec papers of that date, but it is now 
unnecessary to take any further notice of it. 



INVITATIONS TO FESTIVITES.— BALL IN THE 
PAELIAMENT BUILDINGS, 

While the Conference was proceeding with its arduous 
and important duties, invitations were received from Cities 
and Corporations in both sections of the Province, to par- 
take of their hospitalities. The Stadacona Club, (Quebec,) 
the Board of Trade, (Quebec,) the Cities of Montreal, 
Ottawa, Belleville, Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, and 
other places to the remote western boundaries of the Pro- 
vince, forwarded invitations to the Conference Boom, 
proffering their hospitalities. To the distant Corporations 
and Cities answers of acceptance were returned through 
the Chairman, conditional as to the time when the busi* 
ness of the Conference should be completed. 

On the evening of the 14th a very brilliant Ball was 
given in the Parliament Buildings, under the auspices of 



UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 63 

the Canadian Ministry. It was attended by the same 
classes — the same distinguished persons and society as 
attended the " Drawing Room" on the 11th. His Excel- 
lency the Governor General, His Excellency the Lieut, 
Governor of Nova Scotia and Lady, the Members of the 
Canadian Government, the Delegates from the Eastern Pro- 
vinces, and about 800 others, formed a large and most 
agreeable party, by whom the pleasures of the dance were 
kept up without interruption, and without an incident to 
mar the harmony of the occasion, until nearly 3 o'clock on 
the morning of the 15th. 



PUBLIC DINNER UNDER THE AUSPICES OF 
THE QUEBEC BOARD OF TRADE. 

SPEECHES OF DELEGATES. 

The first and only public occasion on which the Dele- 
gates from the Lower Provinces had an opportunity of 
expressing their opinions on the question of Confederation, 
was at the Dinner given to them by the Quebec Board of 
Trade on the evening of the 15th of October. It took 
place at Russell's Hotel, in Palace Street, and was pro- 
nounced by the Quebec journals as the most successful 
public banquet ever witnessed in Quebec. The attendance 
was very numerous, including the leading members of the 
mercantile community, the principal officers of the Army 
in Garrison, the heads of the Civil Service, several mem- 
bers of both Houses of Parliament, and nearly all the 
Canadian Ministers. The Banqueting Room was superbly 
decorated, displaying on its walls mottoes in reference to 
the several Provinces, The viands were of the best 
description, including everything which a rich and popu- 
lous city like Quebec could afford, to gratify the taste of 
an epicure. A. Joseph, Esq., President of the Board of 
Trade, occupied the Chair, and the Vice Chair was occu- 



64 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

pied by H. S. Scott, Esq. The Stewards arranged them- 
selves at different tables, and by the' most judicious and 
delicate management, provided for the comfort and con- 
venience of their numerous guests. 

When the cloth was removed, and the usual patriotic 
toasts had been duly honored, the Chairman proposed, 
amid -loud- cheers, " The Health of His Excellency the 
Governor General." It was drank with all the honors, 
the Band playing " The fine old Irish Gentleman." The 
next toast on the list was "Our Guests — the Delegates 
from the Maritime Provinces." 

The Chairman, in rising to propose this toast, said that 
the merchants of Quebec had reason to feel a legitimate 
pride that they had here, as their guests, this evening, 
gentlemen occupying such a high position in the sister 
provinces, assembled in this city in order to discuss a 
highly important subject. (Cheers.) And while the 
merchants of Quebec did not" think they were called upon 
to express an opinion on the question of confederation 
itself, they all heartily desired some change in our present 
position — they desired a thorough commercial union — 
they desired that the unequal and hostile tariffs of the 
several provinces should disappear. (Cheers.) We want- 
ed one tariff instead of five. We wanted a commercial 
union in order to bring about closer ties, and we wanted 
that union under one flag— the flag of old England. 
(Loud cheers.) We wished, too, that this union should 
be strengthened still further by the iron ties of the inter- 
colonial railway. (Cheers.) It had long been the habit 
to call the maritime colonies by the name of the sister 
provinces ; but notwithstanding this appellation they were 
strangers to us and we were strangers to them, as was 
shown by the diversity of the tariffs. But let us hope 
that a new era was about dawning upon us, now when we 
saw the great statesmen of the British North American 
Provinces assembled in this city, in this month of October, 
1864 — let us hope that if we did not obtain a political 
union, we should at least have a commercial union. 
(Cheers.) There was but one matter to which he would 
briefly allude before proposing the toast of the evening. 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 65 

As they were all well aware, a vast number of our people 
were interested in ship-building, and he was glad to know 
that it was a highly important interest among the inhabi- 
tants of the Lower Provinces also. Keferring to the 
Reciprocity Treaty, he might say that it was not framed 
with any particular view to the interests of the eastern 
section of the Provinces ; but we were as willing to stand 
by it as others, and when the proper time came we should 
unite with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, 
and Prince Edward Island, and say that we should also 
have free-trade in ship-building. He would now propose 
the toast of the evening — " Our Guests the Delegates from 
the Maritime Provinces," and he spoke the wish of the 
merchants of Quebec, when he said he trusted the Dele- 
gates would receive this small compliment to themselves 
in the same open, cordial, unreserved spirit in which it had 
been tendered. (Loud cheers.) 

The toast having been duly honored — 

The Hon. Dr. Tupper, Provincial Secretary of Nova 
Scotia, replied on behalf of that Province, as follows : — 
Mr. President and gentlemen, — I gladly avail myself of 
this opportunity to return thanks on behalf of myself and 
co-delegates from the Province of Nova Scotia, for the 
kind and hospitable manner in which we have been receiv- 
ed in this country. I feel that our thanks are not only 
especially due to the Ministry of Canada for the very hos- 
pitable and generous manner in which we have been re- 
ceived, but that they are also alike due to the city of Que- 
bec, the city of Montreal, and the city of Toronto, in fact, 
I may say to the people of Canada, who of one accord 
seem to join most heartily in rendering our visit to this 
great Province agreeable as well as useful. (Loud cheers.) 
I feel not a little embarrassed in rising to address you. 
The magnitude of the question which has called the dele- 
gates from the Maritime Provinces to this meeting is one 
which actually appals me to contemplate, when I reflect 
that from the time in which the immortal Wolfe decided 
on the plains of Abraham the destiny of British America to 
the present, no event has exceeded in importance or mag- 
nitude the one which is now taking place in this ancient 
and famous city. You will understand me when I say that 
7 



66 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

I feel embarrassed as I approach its consideration before 
so intelligent an audience. (Hear, hear.) But this is 
not the only source of embarrassment which I feel on the 
present occasion, because I need not tell you that, assem- 
bled as we are to discuss the great and momentous inter- 
ests of British North America — assembled as we are to de- 
vise, under the authority and with the sanction of the 
crown of Great Britain, a better and more useful system 
of government for these Provinces, we are obliged to pre- 
serve to a large extent that confidence in our interchange 
of opinion which is essential to the discussion of so great a 
question. (Cheers.) I need not tell you how embarrass- 
ing it would be if the immatured opinions at which we 
may have individually arrived were thrown broad-cast be- 
fore the people, to become matters of contention before we 
had, by mutual concessions and mutual compromises, ar- 
ranged and matured a plan of action that we could, with 
confidence, submit to the intelligence of British North 
America. (Cheers.) But beyond this I have another 
source of embarrassment. I need not remind you that, 
from the time when we had the pleasure of receiving that 
large deputation of the members of the Canadian Govern- 
ment at Charlottetown down to the present, we have had a 
series of social meetings in Prince Edward Island, in Nova 
Scotia, and in New Brunswick, that we have several times 
been before the public in connection with this question ; 
and when I tell you that the question has been already 
discussed by gentlemen connected with the Government of 
Canada— men who occupy not only the proudest position 
as statesmen in British North America, who have not only 
a British, but I may say a European reputation, you will 
understand how difficult it must be for me, familiarised as 
you must have been undoubtedly by the intelligent Press 
of this country, which has discussed this question and 
made you acquainted with the speeches of these men — you 
will, I say, understand the embarrassment I feel in rising 
here to-night to attempt to offer anything new in addition 
to that which has been before offered. "When it is under- 
stood that the object of this meeting of delegates is to as- 
certain whether the time has not come when a more use- 
ful system of government can be devised for those British 
American Provinces, I need not say that its importance 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 6t 

is one which it is impossible to overrate. Uninformed as 
the public mind in the Lower Provinces was on this ques- 
tion, the visit and the statements made by the gentlemen 
connected with the Government of Canada have aroused 
a large and marked degree of attention, which I believe 
will be fraught with the best consequences in its effects 
upon these Provinces, (cheers); and as these gentlemen in 
order to lead the public mind of the Lower Provinces to 
an appreciation of this question, took the opportunity to 
place before us statements of the vast resources of this 
great colony of Canada, I may, perhaps, be excused if I 
invite your attention to some of the facts connected with 
the growth and increase of the Lower Provinces. (Loud 
cheers.) It is true you have a magnificent country, em- 
bracing an immense territorial area; it is true you have a 
comparatively large population of 3,000,000 ; it is true you 
have land teeming with inexhaustible resources, on every 
hand; but as was observed by your able and talented 
minister, Mr. Cartier, great as is your country, large as is 
your population, inexhaustible as are your resources, the 
Maritime Provinces have something to you equally essen- 
tial to the formation of a great nation. (Cheers. ) We shall 
bring into the federation with Canada a territorial area of 
50,000 or 60,000 square miles, and an additional population 
of 800,000 souls ; and I need not say to the gentleman who 
has just sat down, and who has made such complimentary 
allusions to the Lower Provinces, that the prospect of the 
.addition of a population of 800,000 souls must necessarily 
excite the attention of the manufacturers of Canada. 
(Cheers.) We should bring a revenue to the common 
purse of something like $3,000,000, and when I tell you 
that Nova Scotia has something like doubled her revenue 
within the last six years, you will understand that we do 
not require a union with Canada to draw from her resour- 
ces. We should add, at the same time, to the trade of the 
common federation something like $35,000,000 in our 
exports and imports. I need not tell you how much 
Canada owes to the mighty St, Lawrence ; but this high- 
way, great and magnificent as it is, is but an imperfect 
one, inasmuch as it is closed to all commerce some five 
months in the year, not to speak of the humiliating posi- 
tion in which this great country is left, when you feel that 



68 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

you are dependent upon a foreign, if not a rival state, for 
access to the ocean, one of the essential requirements of 
commerce, without which no country can be permanently 
great. (Cheers.) You can readily understand how im- 
portant it is. that Canada should obtain means of access to 
the ocean not only for five months but for twelve months 
in the year — means of communication not only with the 
ocean but with the parent State. (Cheers.) Why is it 
that the Intercolonial Kailway is not a fact ? It is because, 
being divided, that which is the common interest of these 
Colonies has been neglected ; and when it is understood 
that the construction of this work is going to give to 
Canada that which is so essential to her, its importance 
will be understood, not only in connection with your politi- 
cal greatness, but also in connection with your commercial 
character, as affording increased means of communication 
with the Lower Provinces — for the inexhaustible resources 
of the Great West will flow down the St. Lawrence to 
Quebec, and from there to the magnificent harbors of 
Halifax and St. John, open at all seasons of the year. I 
would ask you, too, to contemplate the inexhaustible 
wealth of the ocean which surrounds the Maritime Pro- 
vinces, in the fisheries which we there have ; but it is not only 
in that respect that the Maritime Provinces are prepared 
to show you that they will be able to bring something to 
the treasury of British North America. If you look at the 
Colony which I have the honor to represent you will find 
that its mineral resources cannot be excelled on this side of 
the Atlantic. You will find a vast country occupied by as 
valuable coal deposits as are to be found on the surface of 
the earth. You will find iron mines in the Province of 
Nova Scotia which, in quality, will successfully rival the 
finest Swedish iron. You will find iron and coal associat- 
ed with limestone. In fact, you will find in Nova Scotia 
all those chief natural characteristics which have made 
Great Britain the chief commercial mart of the world. 
There are also our gold mines, not yet developed. Still 
they are valuable, and in illustration of their worth I may 
tell you that the receipts from rents and royalties have, 
within the last six months, enlarged to the extent of $20.- 
000. You will thus understand that our gold mines afford 
a prospect of remunerative employment to the large popu- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 69 

lation which will inevitably be attracted by them. (Loud 
cheers.) When you look at these facts, you will easily 
understand that the confederation which shall unite the 
British American Colonies, which will give a common aim, 
and unite by a common bond the whole people, will tend 
to enhance their credit — to place them upon the exchanges 
of the world in a far better position than we can hope for 
in our present divided state. I fail myself to understand 
how the commercial union, so ably referred to by your 
chairman, is ever to be realized, except in connection with 
a political union. The public men of British North 
America have not, probably, yet exhausted that subject ; 
but they have given it their careful attention, and hither- 
to they have been unable to devise means whereby a com- 
mercial union could be formed separate from a political 
union. (Cheers.) Their tariffs would require to be ad- 
justed to meet the necessities of each people by different 
legislatures, and while this is the case, while we are separ- 
ate, we can never hope to have such an adjustment as to 
give to the people of the whole of the Provinces such a 
commercial union as the Quebec Board of Trade judges to 
be so essential to our common interest. But there are 
other questions in presence of which even the financial 
credit and commercial prosperity of these Colonies sink 
into comparative insignificance. I do not underrate these 
— I believe it should be the business of the statesmen of 
every free country to endeavour to increase its commercial 
prosperity and exalt its credit, but there is that which is 
dearer still, and that is freedom and safety. (Cheers.) I 
believe the time has come when the statesman of British 
North America is unworthy the position he occupies, who 
does not feel it his imperative duty to devote his most 
earnest attention to the solution of the great and impor- 
tant question, how the lives and property and peace of the 
inhabitants of British North America may not only be 
preserved, but guaranteed against any assault. (Cheers.) 
Occupying the official position I do in connection with the 
Government of one of the Provinces, it would be wrong for 
me to say a single word on this subject liable to misconcep- 
tion or misconstruction anywhere ; yet I must say that no 
one who regards the changed aspect of affairs on this conti- 
nent within the last few years can fail to see that unless we 



70 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

are to be dependent for our safety on the generous forbear- 
ance of our neighbors we must be prepared unitedly to 
co-operate for the common defence of our country — 
(cheers,) and I must say also that I do not believe the 
time has come when Great Britain is indifferent to our 
defence. I am not one of those who fancy there is any 
large or influential class of statesmen in Great Britain 
who are insensible to the great advantage and importance 
of preserving the British American colonies as part of the 
empire. It may suit the Manchester school and doctri- 
naires like Goldwin Smith to put forth the contrary notion, 
but I speak under the deepest conviction of the truth of 
what I say, when I assert that the statesmen who have 
charge of the Government of the British Empire would 
be thrust from place and power the very moment they 
should propose a policy so fatal to the greatness of the 
Crown and the dignity of England, as would be the cast- 
ing adrift of her colonies. (Cheers,) I need not say that 
these Provinces have a common interest. The loss of 
Halifax means the loss of Nova Scotia; the loss of Nova 
Scotia means the loss of Prince Edward Island and New 
Brunswick, and the loss of these necessarily involves also- 
the loss of Canada — for we stand or fall together. (Cheers,) 
And the loss of these Provinces involves also the loss of 
the West India Islands, and the result would be that 
Great Britain would sink from the mighty position she 
now occupies into the comparatively insignificant, position 
of a kingdom comprising only two small islands. (Hear, 
hear.) I believe the day is far distant — I believe_ the 
child is not yet born who will live to hear the proposition 
authoritatively propounded by any Cabinet in Great Bri- 
tain of the abandonment of the British North American 
Colonies. (Loud cheers.) I believe that a blow struck 
which would assail the property' or liberty of British 
America would bring into action all the power of the 
British Crown — all the force of that magnificent army 
and gallant navy on which we confidently rely for protec- . 
tion. But, at the same time, the fact that this is the tem- 
per of the British mind, the sentiment of the British Em- 
pire, instead of rendering us supine and indifferent, should 
nerve us with increased vigor to place ourselves in the 
position in which we can best co-operate. with the brave 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 71 

army and gallant navy of Great Britain for the defence of 
this portion of the British Empire. (Cheers.) I have 
little more to say, as I do not wish to trespass on the time 
reserved for other gentlemen from my own and the sister 
Provinces who will address you. But I must say that I can- 
not understand the caution which your chairman, the 
President of the Board of Trade, felt it necessary to exer- 
cise in referring to the great question of Confederation. 
I feel, Sir, it was wise on your part, and on the part of the 
influential body for whom you spoke, that due caution 
should be exhibited ; but when you were speaking of a 
question in presence of whose magnitude the voice of fac- 
tion has been hushed — for I find around this table, com- 
bined to obtain a satisfactory solution of that question, the 
representatives of the two great parties who have so long 
been in antagonism to each other, and not particularly to 
the advantage of the Province of Canada — I find the re- 
presentatives of these great parties, almost hereditary in 
their antagonism, combining in the most patriotic spirit 
to find a solution of the great question how the best 
government shall be obtained for British North America. 
When I look at all this, I think the circumstances would 
have justified the President of the Quebec Board of Trade 
in giving a little more encouragement to the project than 
he has given here to-night. (Loud cheers.) And it is 
not only in Canada alone that, in presence of this ques- 
tion, the voice of faction has been hushed. There is pre- 
sent at this moment in Quebec, not only the extraordinary 
spectacle of the different Governments of the four outlying 
sister Provinces being represented here on this occasion, 
but we find side by side with the prominent members of the 
various Administrations, and intimately and closely asso- 
ciated with them, the .able and talented leaders of the 
Opposition in their respective Provinces. (Cheers.) Un- 
der these circumstances, then — when, as I have said, in 
the presence of the great question the voice of faction is 
hushed—why should it be necessary to exercise so much 
caution not to commit the public to the conclusion at 
which we may arrive ? (Cheers.) The question, at all 
events, is of that magnitude which requires that any hos- 
tile expression of opinion should be suppressed, and that 



72 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

the public should be ready to give it that calm and dis- 
passionate consideration without which it is impossible 
that any number of statesmen, however able, can bring it 
to a satisfactory issue. Dr. Tupper having again express- 
ed his thanks for the generous hospitality with which he 
and his colleagues had been received in this ancient and 
venerable capital, resumed his seat amidst loud and pro- 
longed cheering. 

The Hon. Samuel L. Tilley, Provincial Secretary of 
New Brunswick, responded as follows, on behalf of his 
Province : He said that the manner in which the toast 
had been received showed how deep and earnest was the 
general feeling respecting the grave question on which the 
Intercolonial Conference was engaged. His friend, the 
Hon. Dr. Tupper, had said he felt embarrassed, and he, 
too, felt embarrassed at observing a certain table (the re- 
porters' table), but at the same time he was reassured by 
the great forbearance these gentlemen had shewn on a re- 
cent occasion when several of them visited the Maritime 
Provinces. (Laughter and cheers.) The delegates from 
the Lower Provinces were not here seeking this union. 
They had assembled at Charlottetown a few weeks ago, in 
order to see whether they could not extend their own family 
relations, and then Canada intervened, and the considera- 
tion of the larger question was the result. He considered it 
right to make this remark, inasmuch as it had been assert- 
ed in certain quarters that the Maritime Provinces, weak 
and impoverished, were endeavoring to attach themselves 
to Canada, in order to reap the benefits arising from such 
a union. This was not the case. Look at the immense 
amount of shipping they owned. He was in a position to 
state that, for the year 1 864, after paying the interest on 
all their debts, and after providing liberally for roads, 
bridges, and other public works, they would have a sur- 
plus of half a million. (Cheers.) Therefore, they were 
not coming in as paupers — they were coming to put some- 
thing into the capital that was worth having. Next 
alluding to the Intercolonial Kail way project, he said their 
feeling on this subject was : " We won t have this union 
unless you give us the railway." (Cheers.) It was utter- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES: 73 

ly impossible we could have either a political or commer- 
cial union without it. "With regard to the latter, he might 
say that he had at one time believed with others that we 
could have a commercial without apolitical Union ; but he 
now held with his hon. friend (Mr. Tupper) that it was all 
but impracticable, as was easily shewn by the question of 
tariffs, to which that hon. gentleman had referred. With- 
out going into details, he might say that it was the opin- 
ion of the Conference that union was desirable if the de- 
tails could be satisfactorily arranged. Of course, in mak- 
ing these arrangements we should have to have due re- 
gard to the wants, requirements and even, in some degree, 
to the prejudices of the people. Even in the Lower Pro- 
vinces the tariffs acted adversely to each other. He asked 
them as commercial men was it desirable that this state of 
affairs should continue ? (Cries of "No," "No.") He saw 
no other way of obviating those difficulties than by a 
political union. He would not now refer at any great 
length to the defence question, inasmuch as we had here 
the gallant Colonel from Prince Edward Island (Col. Gray,) 
who had made it his special study. He would, however, 
remark that the anxiety respecting the subject of defence 
in New Brunswick was not intense among the masses of 
the people. This was because the population was very 
small, and the people felt that their individual efforts would 
be useless. But throw the three hundred thousand souls 
of New Brunswick in with the population of Canada and 
the other provinces, making a total of lour millions ; 
and twice as much in the way of a defence contingent 
might be obtained from New Brunswick, because the peo- 
ple would feel that they were part of a great nation. 
(Cheers.) If details could be satisfactorily arranged it 
was advisable we should be united in one great Confedera- 
tion. Look, for instance, at the example offered by Canada. 
Since the union of Canada its population* had ^increased 
from a little over a million to two millions and a half. 
He (Mr. Tilley) hoped for the best ; and with the intelli- 
gence of which the Conference was composed, hejtrusted 
they would overcome all difficulties ; and that they would 
soon|meet in Quebec, Montreal, or Ottawa, to consummate 
the union — despite the caution of his friend the President. 
(Laughter and cheers.) 



74 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Hon. Mr. Carter, (of Newfoundland), returned thanks 
for himself and his co-delegate. He had listened at- 
tentively to the speeches made by his hon. friends who 
preceded him, and believed that they had stated their 
cases very ably indeed. The colony to which he belonged 
was not represented in the Charlottetown Convention ; but 
it had responded to the appeal to take part in that of 
Quebec. He might safely say, for the great majority of 
the people of Newfoundland, that they would feel it a great 
advantage to enter this proposed union, and that they 
would consider it a serious loss to be left out of it. New- 
foundland did not occupy such a high position as Nova 
Scotia and New Brunswick ; but she would nevertheless 
be no burthen to the Confederation — nay, more, he believed 
if the Union were consummated it would be an advantage to 
the city of Quebec. What was wanted was increased 
facilities for trade. The trade of Canada would be de- 
stroyed if Newfoundland were in the hands of a foreign 
power. It was only necessary to look at the map to enable 
one to arrive at the conclusion that the stability of the 
Confederation would require Newfoundland. He had oc- 
casion to visit Quebec several years ago, on matters of 
public business, which brought forcibly before his mind 
the benefits which would be derived from a union of the 
Provinces ; he had then expressed the wish that we might 
one day be all united in one common country under a scion 
of the Koyal family ; and it was his belief now that the 
wished-for union was not far distant. (Cheers.) There 
were, of course, many things to be arranged ; but he 
nevertheless hoped they would be in a position to announce 
a successful result to their respective constituencies. — The 
hon. gentleman concluded by expressing a hope that he 
would have an opportunity of seeing his kind hosts in 
Newfoundland, so that he might reciprocate their courte- 
sies. (Cheers?) 

The Honorable Colonel Gray, President of the Execu- 
tive Council of Prince Edward Island, began by express- 
ing a regret that he was suffering from a severe cold 
which, he said, almost rendered his voice inaudible. His 
friend the Hon. Mr. Tilley had referred to. him an impor- 
tant but rather dry point — that of defence ; but he would 



UNION OF THE BRITISH FBOVINCES, 75 

not now express his sentiments upon it, nor would he have 
arisen to speak, but that it was his duty to thank them 
on behalf of his co-delegates and of the people of Prince 
Edward Island for their kind and courteous hospitality. 
When he saw such an amount of wealth and intelligence 
around this board he looked upon it as a proof that Que- 
bec was destined to occupy the first rank, if not the first 
place, in a mighty nation. (Loud cheers.) It would be 
long, indeed, before the hospitality now extended would be 
effaced from their recollection. — After some laudatory 
reference to the articles on Mr. Howe's letter to Mr. Adder- 
ley, which appeared in a Quebec journal, the lion, gen- 
tleman went on to say that he was glad to have an oppor- 
tunity of raising his voice to help in bringing about that 
which he believed was now about to be consummated. The 
dream of his youth and manhood was that he would, one 
day, be the citizen of a great nation, exten ding frorn Jjie 
extreme west to the sea-board ; and ~he"beileved that 
dream wasabout to be realizeS. (Cheers.) "What a 
time was that in which we met to endeavor to accomplish 
this great purpose ! Who could tell what would occur 
on this continent in the next four years ? The previous 
speakers had alluded to our commercial interests, and on 
this point he (Col. Gray,) could not pretend to follow 
them ; but he would say that the colony he represented 
could throw something into the common treasury. It 
could contribute its mite — it could be to the other Pro- 
vinces what Khode Island was to the other States of the 
American Union. But the delegates required from their 
hosts something more than this feast — they required their 
sympathies in another direction. It was. impossible to 
attain the result so ardently wished for unless they gave 
their aid in banishing all sectional prejudices and jealou- 
sies which would interfere with the great end. He would 
say for himself that there was not a man among them who 
would not come forward to spill the last drop of his blood 
and spend his treasure rather than the soil of Canada 
should be polluted by the foot of a foe. But if the people 
of the Maritime Provinces united with those of Canada, 
as a band of brothers, they might rest assured that God 
would defend his own work. (Loud cheers.) In conclu- 
sion, he hoped they would accept his cordial thanks for 



76 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

the honor conferred on his brother-delegates and himself 
by drinking their health. 

The Chairman said they had now to drink the health 
of their other guests, Her Majesty's Ministers. (Cheers.) 
These hon. gentlemen had undertaken a great'task — a task 
the object of which was to put an end to those sectional 
differences which, for years, had existed in Canada, and 
to which his hon. friend Mr. Tupper had referred. We 
had certainly to admit that, in this Province, we had been 
divided in a way that was not to our advantage. It was, 
he repeated, an important task the Government had un- 
dertaken in trying to mature a measure which would pro- 
mote the material welfare of all the British North Ameri- 
can Provinces, and give us a strong Government. If they 
succeeded in their endeavors to bring about the Union to 
which he (the Chairman) had so cautiously referred 
(laughter) — if they succeeded in giving us a good Govern- 
ment, they would not only deserve but would receive the 
thanks of every true Canadian. Without further preface, 
he therefore begged leave to propose, "The Members of the 
Executive Council of Canada/' 

The toast was received with loud cheers — the Band 
playing " A la Claire Fontaine." 

Hon. Sir E. P. Tache, Receiver General and Minister 
of Militia of Canada, said he arose to thank them in the 
name of his colleagues and for himself, for the toast which 
had been proposed and received so cordially. Under 
ordinary circumstances, he (Sir E. P. Tache) would have 
contented himself with merely thanking them for this 
toast, because in mixed assemblies it was looked upon 
simply as a matter of respect to those who, for the time 
being, held the reins of Government. But there was such 
a close connection between the principle upon which the 
Government was formed and the present occasion that he 
might be justified in saying more. They were aware that 
the present Administration was formed for the very pur- 
pose of carrying out the important measure which those 
distinguished gentlemen from the sister provinces had met 
in Quebec to endeavor to bring about. He had, therefore, 
as it were, a right to say a few words on the subject, but the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 77 

hon. gentlemen who preceded him had entered so earnestly, 
so fully, and so clearly into the subject, that it was almost 
useless for him to add more. This project of uniting the 
British North American Provinces was not a new scheme. 
It had been suggested years ago by an able statesman, 
Lord Durham, in his Report ; and though he (Sir E. P. 
Tache,) might not agree with all it contained, he would 
say that it was undoubtedly the work of a very able states- 
man. One of the recommendations of Lord Durham's Re- 
port had been carried out ; and whatever might have been 
said then, it would be admitted now that the union of Upper 
and Lower Canada had doubled our population and trebled 
our resources in twenty years. (Cheers.) Little, however, 
was said about the union of the provinces until 1853, 
when the late lamented Mr. Merritt moved for a committee 
on the subject. Then there was very little said or done 
until 1857 or 1858 — he believed in the session of 1858, 
when his hon. friend Mr. Gait moved a series of resolu- 
tions on the subject, which were submited to Her Majesty's 
Government, but were not acted upon, the other Govern- 
ments not having taken simultaneous action in the matter. 
But since the last mentioned date it had been amply dis- 
cussed by articles in the public journals and by brochures. 
However, difficulties of a sectional nature grew upon us, 
and after the defeat of the Ministry last spring, a Govern- 
ment was formed on the avowed basis of a Confederation 
of the British North American Provinces. We had been 
in political difficulties, no doubt, as an hon. gentleman 
who preceded him had said, but these difficulties were not 
so great — the body politic was not so sick or incurable as 
to make a remedy of no avail. (Laughter.) Union 
would benefit us all — not merely this one or the other one, 
but the whole. His hearers might expect something from 
him as to the secrets of the Conference ; but if they did 
they were much mistaken, (Laughter.) The members 
were not sworn ; but they were bound in honor as gentle- 
men to preserve secrecy. It would be highly imprudent 
at this stage of the proceedings to divulge anything, for we 
did not know what modifications or changes might become 
necessary. The leaking-out of half-matured points of the 
arrangement would create erroneous impressions and 
would produce a very bad effect. He would, before sitting 



78 UNION OF THE feRITISH PROVINCES. 

down, form a vow or give expression to a vow — he did not 
know whether the phrase was good English; but it was 

v excellent French — that at no distant period a fraternal era 
might be opened unto us by which the cool-headed and 
persevering Englishman might be drawn closer to the 
warm-hearted and generous Irishman, to the keen, perse- 

i( vering and economical (laughter)— they should reserve 
their laughter as he had not finished the sentence — the 
persevering and economical son of Caledonia, and the gay 

*+ and chivalric offspring of old Gaul — each of these 'contri- 
buting their quota of the good qualities they had inherited 

^ from their ancestors, blended together in one grand peo- 
ple — Acadian or Canadian, he did not care which, for they 

;/ were both dear to his heart. (Enthusiastic cheering.) 

The Chairman called upon Mr. James Bell Forsyth to 
propose the next toast. 

Mr. Forsyth said the toast he had the honor ot pro- 
posing was " The Commercial Prosperity of British North 
America." But if statesmen accustomed to speak in 
public, on important subjects, felt their position so embar- 
rassing as they had themselves declared, how much more 
embarrasing was it to him (Mr. Forsyth) unaccustomed 
to public speaking, yet called upon to introduce this 
extensive subject. The Ministry of Canada had shewn 
great patriotism when they cast aside the bickerings and 
heart-burnings of past years for the purpose of uniting us 
in a great nation. (Cheers.) When he (Mr. Forsyth) saw 
around the board those delegates from the Maritime Pro- 
vinces joined with our own leading men in this great 
undertaking, he felt that it was a subject for congratula- 
tion ; and the general feeling throughout the land, from 
Lake Superior to Halifax, was to wish them " Godspeed." 
He would not enter into statistics, but he did think 
that if nothing else arose from this meeting but the con- 
struction of the Intercolonial Kailway, it would be a great 
result indeed. He trusted, however, that we would have 
not only a railroad, but a uniform tariff, and not only a uni- 
form tariff, but such a union, whether Federal or Legisla- 
tive, as would give us unity of sentiment and community 
of interest. (Cheers.) It was most consoling, throughout 
all the bearings of this great question, that there was the 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 79 

same good feeling as ever, to glorious old England, under 
whose flag we lived — that ancient flag which, for a thous- 
and years, had braved the battle and the breeze. (Loud 
cheers.) Without further comment, he proposed the toast 
of " The Commercial Prosperity of British North America." 

The toast was enthusiastically received — the Band play- 
ing the " Canadian Hymn." 

Hon. Mr. Galt (Finance Minister of Canada), who was 
loudly called for, arose amid much cheering, and observed 
that though he felt it was highly flattering to be thus 
called upon, yet that before he ventured to address such 
an enlightened commercial community, it would have been 
only fair to allow him some time for preparation. — Allud- 
ing to the lack of information so long prevailing in Canada 
respecting the Maritime Provinces, he said it was to be 
hoped that the visit of those gentlemen in whose honor 
they had assembled to-night would dispel that ignorance. 
When we saw the ability of those gentlemen and reflected 
that they might be one day called to the councils of our 
united country, it was consoling to think that, if the Con- 
federation of the Provinces were brought about, we might 
have the benefit of such talents. (Cheers.) With regard 
to the question of commercial prosperity arising out of this 
subject, he might remark that, in commerce, we should 
never be contented with the minor advantage if we could 
get the major. What depressed the commercial energies 
of this country ? Because we had hitherto been confined 
to two markets — England and the United States. Now a 
Union with the Lower Provinces would not only give us 
the benefit of their local markets, but would also open up 
to us the benefit of their foreign trade — a trade which, in 
one or two instances, we had once possessed but had now 
lost. We had in our own Province a certain amount of 
the maritime element ; but not so much as we should have 
after a Union with the Sister Provinces. In the circum- 
stances in which we were placed, it was gratifying that 
those points in which we might be deficient would be 
amply supplied by the other Provinces. We were trying 
to encourage manufacturing in Canada, A supply of coal 
was a most important element of success in this respect; 
and we had before us the fact that Nova Scotia possessed 
that element. The great resources of the Maritime Pro- 



80 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

vinces had been amply shewn by the hon. gentlemen who 
had already spoken, and who had abundantly proved that 
they came not as seeking assistance from us but in a broad 
and national spirit. (Cheers.) He was glad their speeches 
would go forth to the public, and that it would be seen 
that the Provinces did not come together as suppliants, 
but with a liberal and patriotic desire to improve our lot 
and to perpetuate and preserve British institutions in a 
truly British spirit. (Cheers.) And the enthusiasm 
shewn here to-night was an earnest of the manner in 
which the realization of the great object in view would be 
welcomed. 

The toast of " The Press/' was then given, and respond- 
ed to by Mr. Gr. A. Sala, the Essayist, and at that time 
correspondent of the London Telegraph; — the health of 
the Chairman was also given and responded to ; and " the 
Ladies" were likewise remembered as worthy of festive 
honors ; after which the company dispersed, it being then 
nearly midnight. 

The Conference continued to meet daily between the 
hours of ten and eleven o'clock, and adjourning at four 
o'clock, resumed their sittings at seven o'clock, which were 
continued until a late hour when no engagements inter- 
fered. Festivities were not wholly abandoned, but were, 
in a measure, checked by the declared desire of the Dele- 
gates to apply themselves assiduously to the discharge of 
their public duties. At an early date after their arrival in 
Quebec, M. and Madame Tessier, lady of the Speaker of 
the Legislative Council, invited the Delegates to a Ball, 
expressly designed in honor of them. The evening of the 
19th October was set apart for this interesting event ; and 
all the Delegates and dignitaries of the Crown in Quebec, 
together with some of its best Society in the private walks 
of life, accepted the generous invitation, and, after many 
pleasant hours, left the Ball Boom with the impression that 
they had enjoyed one of the happiest re-unions ever experi- 
enced by them. 



TOTON OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE!. 81 

VISIT TO, AND ADDRESS FROM, LAVAL 
UNIVERSITY. 

On the 20th of October, the Delegates from the Mari- 
time Provinces were, by invitation, received at the Laval 
University, and honored with a grand official reception, 
headed by His Lordship the Bishop of Tloa, administra- 
tor of the Diocese of Quebec, His Lordship the Bishop of 
Hamilton, His Lordship the Bishop of Kingston. The 
Rector of the University, and the Deans and Professors of 
the several Faculties, appeared in their official robes. The 
attendance of the students was unusually large, and the 
occasion was graced by the presence of many ladies and 
distinguished persons in Quebec at the time. The whole 
party having proceeded to the great Hall, where the pupils 
of the Quebec Seminary, to the number of four hundred, 
were assembled, the Very Reverend Rector read the follow- 
ing Address : — 

Honorable Gentlemen, — There are in the lives of 
nations, as in those of individuals, moments of solemn 
import, on which their destiny hangs. 

The British Colonies of North America are now in one 
of those critical periods, the influence of which may even 
surpass our prevision. 

History will hand down to posterity the names of all 
those to whom the confidence of their fellow-citizens has 
entrusted with this great mission of examining the basis 
of our political constitutions, and of proposing fundamental 
modifications. 

It is not the part of a literary and scientifical institution 
to express an opinion on the all-important questions of 
the day ; yet it cannot remain indifferent to debates 
which concern our common country, understanding as it 
does how well worthy of the best wishes of all are the 
eminent personages on whose shoulders weighs so heavy a 
responsibility. 

Moreover, the prosperity of an institution such as this is 
8 



82 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

too closely connected with the future of the country not to 
partake in the anxiety with which, from the sources to the 
mouth of the St. Lawrence, five millions of British subjects 
await the result of your important labors. 

The students of the Quebec Seminary and those of 
Laval University, whom you see here united, also share in 
our emotion ; in after years some of them may, in their 
turn, be called on to guide the ship of the State, and to 
continue the construction, the foundations of which it is 
your mission to lay. 

Whatever may be the issue of your deliberations, permit 
us. to assure you, honorable gentlemen, in the name of all 
our pupils and Alumni, that your visit will be long borne 
in mind by them. Nor will it be without result, for, 
while engaged in the task of developing their intelligence, 
they will be animated by the grateful remembrance of the 
honor conferred on their alma mater by the presence of the 
most eminent and most influential men of this immense 
territory. 

Hon. Mr. Tupper, on behalf of himself and his Associ- 
ate Delegates, read the following Reply : 

To the Very Reverend E. A. Taschereau, D.C.L., 
Rector of the University of Laval. 

Very Reverend Sir, — We beg to express our grate- 
ful estimate of the very flattering terms in which we have 
been addressed by you, on behalf of the Faculties and 
Alumni of this distinguished University, and of the pro- 
fessors and students of the Quebec Seminary. 

Engaged as we are in the important duty of endeavoring, 
in conjunction with the Government of Canada, so to 
improve the political institutions of the British American 
Provinces as to promote the common interests of all, we 
are much gratified to learn that our high mission is duly 
appreciated at a great seat of learning from which the 
public sentiment of the country must be largely influenced. 

The students of the Quebec Seminary, as also the 
Faculties and Alumni of Laval University, may rest as- 
sured that our best efforts will be exerted to find a wise 
solution of the great question which has been submitted to 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 85 

our deliberations ; but in any event we will not soon forget 
the distinguished mark of respect which you have been 
pleased to offer us on the present occasion. 

(Signed,) Charles Tupper, W. A. Henry, J. McCully, 
R B. Dickey, A. G. Archibald, of Nova Scotia. 

S. L. Tilley, W. H. Steeves, J. M. Johnson, E. B. 
Chandler, J. H. Gray, Charles Fisher, of New Bruns- 
wick. 

F. B. T. Carter, J. Ambrose Shea, of Newfoundland. 

J. H. Gray, Edward Palmer, W. H. Pope, A. A. 
McDonald, George Coles, T. Heath Haviland, Edward 
Whelan, of Prince Edward Island. 

The Seminary band then struck up a joyous strain, and 
the visitors proceeded to the terrace-roof of the main 
building, whence a magnificent view of the city, harbor and 
surrounding country was obtained. The Delegates were 
highly delighted with the prospect, and unanimously de- 
clared it to be one of the most beautiful they had ever 
beheld. After having thus feasted their eyes on the beau- 
ties of nature, they proceeded — accompanied by their hosts 
— to visit the several departments of the University, in- 
cluding the library, the museum of minerology and botany, 
the cabinets of physics and chemistry, the schools of law 
and medicine, and the students' residence attached, &c. 
It is needless to say that they were deeply impressed with 
the vast extent of the University and the unrivalled edu- 
cational facilities which it affords. 



THE BACHELORS' BALL. 

The Bachelors of Quebec entertained the Delegates at a 
Ball at the Parliament Buildings, on the evening of the 
21st October. His Excellency the Governor General and 
his Ministry were present ; and, indeed, all the other dis- 
tinguished persons who attended the Government Ball in 
the same place, on the 14th, participated in the hilarity 
happily and most successfully inaugurated by the Bache- 



84 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

lors. The attendance was large— the display of beauty 
highly attractive — the entertainment in the Supper Eoom 
of the best description ; and, in short, everything combined 
to make the Bachelors' Ball one of the most agreeable in- 
cidents remotely connected with the Convention. 

■ 



DEPARTURE FKOM QUEBEC. 

Nothing further of any importance remains to be noted 
during the time the Delegates remained in Quebec. They 
brought their official labors at Quebec to a close on the 27th 
October ; and on the afternoon and evening of that day, 
nearly all the Delegates, their lady friends, and several mem- 
bers of the Canadian Ministry, proceeded to Montreal by 
special train, most obligingly placed at their service by C.J. 
BRYDGES,Esq., the popular and efficient Managing Director 
of the Grand Trunk Railway, to whom the Delegates are 
iudebted for much courtesy and kindness, and which will, 
no doubt, be ever gratefully remembered. 



ARRIVAL IN MONTREAL. 

VISIT TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS — CONFERENCE — BALL. 

The Delegates and their party arrived at Montreal early 
on the morning of Friday, 28th October, and proceeded 
to the St. Lawrence Hall, where apartments were provided 
for them. The weather was wet and disagreeable during 
the whole day, which prevented a Volunteer Review from 
taking place, designed as a mark of respect to the Dele- 
gates, and for which extensive preparations had been made. 
Visits were made, however, to several of the public institu- 
tions, during the forenoon ; and the Geological Survey, 
under the direction of the eminent Geologist, Sir William 
Logan, was an especial object of attraction to the visitors. 
The collection of geological specimens, fossils, woods and 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 85 

minerals, in this institution, is said to be the largest and 
best in America The Delegates were fortunate in being 
introduced by the Hon Mr. McGee ; and the gentleman 
in charge of the institution most ably and cheerfully ex- 
plained to his visitors every object of a curious and attrac- 
tive nature which it contained. 

The Delegates held a brief Conference at the St. Law- 
rence Hall, tor the purpose of revising the Minutes of the 
Proceedings adopted at Quebec, and adjourned until the 
following day. 

On the evening of Friday, a maguificent Ball was given 
in honor of the Delegates, at the St. Lawrence Hall, at 
which about 1,000 persons were present — His Excellency 
Sir Richard G. McDonnell, Lieut. Governor of Nova 
Scotia, and Lady, and Sir General Fenwick Williams, 
Commander of the Forces, being amongst the guests. It 
is needless to say that the beauty and fashion of Montreal 
were largely represented, and that all the magnates of the 
City were also present, dissporting in the mazes of the 
dance, or indulging in the lively interchange of thought in 
conversational circles. The party was, altogether, an ex- 
ceedingly gay and brilliant one, and afforded unmixed sa- 
tisfaction to the pleasure-seekers who filled the splendid 
Hall of the St. Lawrence Hotel. 



PUBLIC BANQUET. 

SPEECHES OF DELEGATES AND OTHERS. 

On Saturday morning the Delegates again met in Con- 
ference to continue and conclude the revisal of the Minutes 
of Proceedings, which they accomplished a little after 
two o'clock. A magnificent Banquet or Dejeuner was 
prepared in honor of them, the same day, and served in 
the Ball Boom of the previous evening. The Delegates 
and their entertainers met in the Drawing Koom of the 



86 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Hotel about 3 o'clock, and having been severally presented 
to General Sir Fenwick Williams, who was a guest on 
this occasion likewise, were introduced to the leading 
merchants and professional gentlemen of Montreal, and 
then conducted to the Banquetting Koom, which was ele- 
gantly decorated. Five tables were furnished for the com- 
pany, and a cross table at the head for some of the most dis- 
tinguished of the guests. Large vases, full of beautiful 
flowers and green-house plants in full bloom, were placed 
upon the board in the intervals between the highly decor- 
ated dishes and wonderful specimens of the confectioner's 
art. An abundance of wine, of most excellent quality, 
was provided, and the attandance was all that could be 
required. The music for the feast was supplied by the 
band of the Rifle Battalion then quartered in Montreal. 

The Chair was taken by His Worship Mayor Beaudry, 
and the Vice Chairs were filled by Messrs F. Pominville, 
Peter Redpath, the Hon. T. Ryan, M.L.C., and A. M. 
Delisle, Esq. When justice was done to the substantial 
viands, the intellectual part of the entertainment was 
promptly commenced by the excellent Chairman. The 
healths of Her Majesty the Queen, of H. R. H. the Prince 
of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, 
and the health of His Excellency the Governor General — 
were given in quick succession, and received with great 
bursts of applause, the Band playing an appropriate air 
to each. 

The Chairman then proposed " The Army, Navy and 
Volunteers." 

General Sir William Fenwick Williams, who was 
received with prolonged cheering, said that in responding 
for the Army and Navy he would only detain them a few 
minutes. In the first place, he had to express his regret 
that the gallant Admiral, who commands the fleet on the 
North American station, was not here to respond for the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 



87 



Navy. That gallant officer could have told them how 
that Navy gave protection to British commerce with dis- 
tant countries, even on the distant seas of China, where 
Admiral Hope had so gallantly distinguished himself. 
(Cheers.) As regards the Army, they had seen for them- 
selves its discipline during the last three or four years in 
this country, but they were aware also of the very limited 
numbers of that portion of the British forces which he had 
the honor to command; and meeting them on this occasion, 
and especially the Delegates from the different Provinces, 
if he were not certain that steps would be taken to add to 
that small force an efficient militia, he should take more 
time than he would now take to impress the necessity of 
this upon their minds. Another arm of the force was also 
included in the toast — the Volunteers — one of whose most 
distinguished commanders he now saw before him, his 
friend, Col. Dyde, who had devoted his most strenuous 
efforts to increasing the efficiency of that branch of the 
force. (Cheers.) And he must be allowed to say again 
that, without an efficient militia, the army in these Pro- 
vinces could do nothing ; but with such a militia they 
could do everything. (Cheers.) He thanked them for 
the very kind way in which he had been received, and 
before sitting down he begged to wish the Delegates every 
success in the great undertaking in connection with which 
they had come here, that these countries might be formed 
into a great and prosperous Union, under the rule of our 
gracious Queen, as now, and of her descendants from 
generation to generation, and that the same glorious flag 
might continue to wave over their heads for centuries to 
come. (Loud cheers.) 

Col. Pyde returned thanks on behalf of the Volunteerg 
for the honor done them, in not merely drinking their 
health, but in connecting their names with the glorious 
Army and Navy. The Volunteers, he believed he might 
safely say, had always been ready to do their duty. The 
Government also had of late done its duty by them, as far 
as the law would allow them, but they required something 
more than this — they required the countenance and sup - 
port of their fellow-citizens. (Cheers.) The pursuit of 
wealth was very commendable, but there were higher 



88 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

. objects than that to be aimed at, and every man, particu- 
larly the influential and the wealthy, owed something to his 
country ; and if he had not the courage and the patriotism 
to serve his country as a Volunteer, he ought, at least, to 
support the Volunteer movement by his countenance and 
his means. (Cheers.) He regretted to say there were 
some exceptions to this in this community, and that some 
of the most wealthy and influential in it, instead of coun- 
tenancing the Volunteers, discouraged them in every 
possible way. These cases, however, were few, and he 
hoped they would be fewer still. In closing he begged to 
say that the force under his command were ready and 
willing at all times to do their duty as Volunteers or 
soldiers. God forbid the occasion should arise that their 
services should be required as soldiers ; but if that occasion 
should arise he was satisfied they would do their duty, 
shoulder to shoulder, with Her Majesty's troops. (Cheers.) 

The Chairman said he was sure they would drink the 
next toast with much pleasure. They had amongst them 
this afternoon a distinguished gentleman, the Lieutenant 
Governor of Nova Scotia. (Cheers.) He proposed the 
health of Sir Eichard McDonnell and Lady McDonnell. 
(Loud cheers.) 

Sir Kichard MacDonnell, C. B., on rising was 
greeted with renewed cheers. He said : Mr. Chairman and 
gentlemen, your reception of me has been so very kind and 
cordial, as almost to embarrass me, accustomed as I am to 
public life and to the kindness of Her Majesty's subjects 
exhibited in various parts of the globe towards the Queen's 
representatives, who always find her Her Majesty's subjects 
disposed to aid and co-operate with them in carrying out 
the objects of Colonial Government, as now administered — 
those objects being to increase the social welfare and 
material prosperity of the colonists, as the most acceptable 
service which the representatives of the Crown can render 
to their Sovereign. (Cheers.) Meeting you here, gentle- 
men, in this fair city, which I may truly call the natural 
commercial centre of a Province which has been well 
designated as the brightest jewel in the diadem of England, 
allow me to congratulate you on the progress which I see 



UNION OF THE BEITISH PROVINCES. 89 

everywhere around me, since a visit I was fortunate 
enough to make a few years ago. Allow me also, on the 
part of one very dear to me, whose name has been connect- 
ed with mine in the toast you have drunk, to express to 
you the great pleasure her Ladyship feels on making this, 
her first visit to your city, to find herself so surrounded by 
friendly and familiar faces, having had occasion recently 
to become acquainted at Halifax with so many Canadians 
that in Montreal she seems to be rather at home than in a 
strange place. (Cheers.) I am very glad that my visit 
to Montreal, although it may be considered an accidental 
circumstance at this time, should have enabled me, in a 
peculiar way, as representing that Province which is the 
second to Canada of those Provinces over which the British 
flag waves on this continent, to respond to the kind invi- 
tation to a dinner in honor of the Delegates at the Inter- 
colonial Conference. 1 am sure that I only express the 
feeling of the community at large, when I say that what- 
ever may be the ultimate fate of the propositions which 
the Delegates in due time may submit to the different 
governments and legislatures of these Provinces, we are all 
ready to concede to them the merit of having given a great 
deal of time, labor, and thought, so far as we can see 
through the mist of secrecy which has hung over their 
proceedings, and having brought an amount of patriotism 
to bear upon these questions, for which I am sure these 
communities will always feel grateful. I think, therefore, 
that the compliment which has been paid to these gentle- 
men is a graceful one and well merited. (Cheers.) I 
look, too, at the constitution of the delegation ; although 
they do not come here with any authority from the Legis- 
latures of these colonies or from the Imperial Government, 
they come as gentlemen, representing pretty accurately 
the state of public opinion in the different Provinces they 
represent ; not only the feeling of the responsible govern- 
ments in existence in each of those Provinces, but of that, 
which in a free community such as yours, is no less neces- 
sary — the feelings of Her Majesty's Opposition. Great 
weight, therefore, is due, and no doubt will be given, to 
whatever proposals these gentlemen may make. At the 
same time I may, without breaking through the require- 
ments of necessary caution and reserve, say, that I do hope 



90 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

whatever proposals they may make will be duly weighed 
hereafter by the community at large, to whom they must 
in point of fact finally report their proceedings. (Hear.) 
The moment is a very critical one in the history of these 
Provinces, and suggestions, however patriotically made, 
ought not to be all at once accepted without due consider- 
ation. The whole future history, both of Canada and the 
Maritime Provinces, will, no doubt, be materially affected 
for the better or for the worse by the decision which the 
community at large and the different Legislatures may 
make on these proposals. I will only say this, proceeding 
merely on the semi-official announcement, and not drawing 
for information on any other source, that I do hope when 
some plan of Union comes to be decided upon, it will be a 
Union designed to give increased strength in matters of 
defence, increased economy in conducting the machinery 
of government, and increased convenience with regard to 
mercantile arrangements. I do hope that some simple, as 
well as effective means, will be found of carrying out these 
objects. I trust it will not be thought necessary to build 
up such a Union on a mass of guarantees and mutual 
suspicions. If you are to become a nation, you must lay 
its foundations in mutual confidence. (Cheers.) If the 
inhabitants of the British Provinces of America — of the 
" New Britain" of the West — the simplest, most loyal and 
fittest name for the intended Confederation — have in them- 
selves the stuff that entitles them to become a great nation, 
they can only become so by being willing to make mutual 
sacrifices and to repose in one another mutual confidence. 
(Cheers.) On the other hand, if you once begin with the 
system of guarantees against one another, where is it to 
end ? Are we to have guarantees to defend an English 
minority in a local Legislature in Lower Canada and to 
defend a French minority in a Parliament of the general 
Confederation ? I do hope, and believe, there is sufficient 
good feeling between the inhabitants of these Provinces — 
having travelled over them lately and conversed with the 
leading men in each — to enable you to find some simple, 
effective mode of Union that wO.1 give you both strength 
and economy in conducting your government. (Cheers.) 
I may say that there is one portion of Her Majesty's 
subjects in these Provinces whom I have always been 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 91 

accustomed to look upon with peculiar interest, in conse- 
quence of circumstances connected with a former visit of 
mine to Canada. I allude to my fellow-countrymen of 
French descent, and I may add, that in the course of my 
recent trip through Canada, I never met any person who 
was not animated by the most friendly feelings towards 
that portion of Her Majesty's subjects, and I believe that 
none would be a more valuable acquisition to the Union. 
(Cheers.) It is impossible for a traveller like myself to 
visit this country and traverse a portion of what I may 
call a fragment of ancient France, without feeling deeply 
interested in its present welfare and its future destiny. It 
is true, that severed long since from its parent country, it 
has not had the opportunity of being immediately linked 
with all the glories of old France. At the same time, 
French Canadians cannot, and should not. forget that they 
have been spared much tribulation, which, under other cir- 
cumstances, might have been inflicted on them by the 
political storms which, since their separation, have swept 
over the old country ; and they may permit me, before I 
sit down, to express the great pleasure with which I see 
Her Majesty's French subjects here enjoying, at this 
moment, an amount of civil and religious liberty, and of 
social advantages, which is not equalled in the case of 
Frenchmen elsewhere, or any other people or race on the 
face of the earth. (Cheers.) As an old servant of Her 
Majesty's Government, I feel proud and happy when I see 
those of another race enjoying under the beneficent sway 
of the British Crown these great advantages. The fact 
that it is so, is the highest compliment that can be paid to 
the excellence of British institutions. (Cheers.) I there- 
fore hope, whatever shape the present movement may take, 
it may result in increased happiness and prosperity to 
my French fellow-countrymen in this land. (Cheers.) 
As I have said already, I am satisfied that the end you 
have in view, with mutual confidence one towards another, 
may just as easily be attained by simple as by complicated 
means. It may or may not happen that the views of the 
Delegates will be carried out, but whether the whole of 
their proposals be accomplished, or only a portion of them, 
I may say for myself and my brother Lieutenant-Gover- 
nors, that the Delegates may rely on finding every disposition 



92 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

on our part to co-operate and assist them in every way in 
our power by giving the fullest developement to whatever 
projects Her Majesty's Government in thsir wisdom may 
approve when submitted to them. They may rely upon 
us for this, as men equally interested as any others of Her 
Majesty's subjects in this part of the world, and perhaps 
more interested than any others in all measures for pro- 
moting the happiness of those over whom for the time 
being we have been appointed to preside. (Cheers.) I 
feel that I may be thought perhaps to have touched on 
somewhat delicate ground ; at the same time I think the 
hour has come when public opinion should be brought to 
bear a little on matters in which the general public is so 
deeply interested. I only hope that the future of these 
Provinces may be worthy the materials for a glorious 
future which they contain, and I conclude with a very 
pithy sentence which I notice on this programme of toasts, 
and the sentiment of which I heartily adopt as my own — 

"Then let us be firm and united — 
One country, one flag for us all; 
United, our strength will be freedom — 
Divided, we each of us fall." 

(Loud cheers.) 

The Chairman said he now came to the toast of the 
evening. (Cheers.) They were all aware that a number 
of gentlemen from the Maritime Provinces had assembled 
in Quebec with the representatives of our own Province, 
to discuss the necessity or propriety of uniting these Pro- 
vinces. These gentlemen were present, and several of 
them would be called on to respond to this toast. He was 
sure, from the feeling which had been exhibited since 
these gentlemen entered the Province, that the toast would 
be received with the greatest enthusiasm. He begged to 
propose—" Our distinguished guests, the Delegates from 
the Maritime Provinces." (Great cheering.) 

The Band— " Cead mille faeltha." 

The Hon. Dr. Tupper said, deeply as he felt the kind* 
ness of the company, he had not risen to respond on behalf 
of the Delegates of Nova Scotia, but to state that, in 
forming that delegation, His Excellency the Lieutenant 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 93 

Governor was enabled, through the kindness and patriot- 
ism of the Opposition, to avail himself of the services of 
the Leaders of the Opposition, both in the Legislative 
Council and in the House of Assembly. At the recent 
festive gathering in Quebec he (Dr. Tupper) had the 
privilege of responding on behalf of the Nova Scotia Dele- 
gates, and of placing before the public of Canada, through 
the medium of their intelligent press, his own views on 
the great question of the day. He now rose to ask Mr. 
Archibald, the talented and courteous Leader of the Nova 
Scotia Opposition, to respond to the toast on the present 
occasion, and to give us the benefit of his sentiments. 

Hon. Mr. Archibald said that having been called upon 
by the hon. gentleman who conducted the administration 
of Nova Scotia to respond to the toast just given, his loy- 
alty to the Province required him to respond. He accept- 
ed the task that was imposed on him, but he must say that 
his difficulty was largely increased by the observations by 
which he had been introduced to the meeting. These 
observations only showed how much more effectually and 
ably that gentleman could have responded than he (Mr. 
Archibald.) He, however, would tell the gentlemen pre- 
sent, on behalf of the Province he represented, that he 
returned his warmest thanks and the thanks of his co- 
delegates for the manner in which the toast had been 
introduced by the Mayor, and for the kindness with which 
it had been received. (Cheers.) And while on his feet 
he might be allowed to thank not only the people of Mon- 
treal, but of Canada at large, for the kindness, the untiring 
kindness, with which they (the Delegates) had been wel- 
comed since they entered the Canadian borders. (Ap- 
plause.) The people of the Lower Provinces had long 
heard that the Canadians were men of noble sentiments, 
generous and hospitable, but their anticipations had been 
far outstripped by their experience — an experience of one 
universal round of kindness and festivity. Whatever 
might be the results of the political arrangements which 
were in progress — whatever the effect of the negociations, 
one thing was certain, that the Delegates would carry 
away a most pleasing recollection of the hospitality of 
Canada, and of the kindness of the reception they had met 



94 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

with everywhere. He might say, if we were permitted to 
divulge secrets, that a very marked impression seemed to 
be made on some of the members of the delegation — the 
more susceptible of them, who were present last evening in 
this room, and who, from their sensibility to the attractions 
of the other sex appeared to be in favor, if not of Confed- 
eration, at any rate of Union. (Cheers and laughter.) 
From the little acquaintance he had with Canadian gen- 
tlemen, he found that there existed here a very limited 
idea of the Lower Provinces, of their resources, and of the 
character and habits of the people. He was not surprised 
at this. The business relations of Canada connected it 
with the United States, and the old world and its commu- 
nications carried it beyond the Lower Provinces. The 
people of Canada saw nothing of the Lower Provinces, 
and had little knowledge of their resources or position ; 
little knowledge, in fact, of that which the Lower Provinces 
desired Canada should know. The Delegates came here 
with a view to disseminate such information and state 
such facts as would shew that Nova Scotia would cheerfully 
assist in the construction of a nation. (Cheers.) The 
Lower Provinces would require to learn much of Canada, 
and Canada of them. The magnificence of the proportions 
of Canada-, the grandeur of the country, the greatness of 
the land which its people inhabit, insured the attention of 
the Lower Provinces more to her than their smallness was 
likely to attract her to them. (Applause.) But if the 
Lower Provinces could not equal Canada in grandeur and 
magnificence, they far exceeded her in the number and 
variety of their resources. Many of those gentlemen who 
had paid the Lower Provinces a visit a short time ago at 
first supposed that the country produced nothing but an 
abundant supply of fog and fish. (A laugh.) He hoped, 
however, that the visitors came back to Canada convinced 
that these two articles of commerce did not constitute all 
the resources of the maritime Provinces. (Cheers and 
laughter.) If the Canadian visitors brought back any 
report of the climate he was sure it would be to the ad- 
vantage of the Lower Provinces, for when they were there 
it seemed that nature was desirous to propitiate their good 
will, and gave the most lovely and cheerful weather, while, 
on the other hand, when the delegates came to Montreal, 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 95 

the climate of Canada gave them no right to suppose that 
Nova Scotia enjoyed a monopoly of rain and fog. (Loud 
laughter.) He would not assume to speak of the resources 
of all the Lower Provinces, but take as an instance his own 
little Province of Nova Scotia, which was hardly known. 
He would tell them an instance of this: A friend of Colonel 
Gray's returned to England after having been in Nova 
Scotia for a long time. Being congratulated on arriving 
at home she was reminded that among other pleasures this 
one was in store for her, that she was in a place where she 
would again hear her own language spoken. (Cheers and 
laughter.) The fact was that Nova Scotia was not inhabit- 
ed altogether by Hurons, Iriquois and Micmacs, and he 
did not think that the Canadian gentlemen had any such 
idea. (A laugh.) He would now say a few words respecting 
the resources of Nova Scotia. In the first place, she had no 
predominant interest, although there were a great many 
interests there. The people of Canada imagine that they 
possess the finest agricultural soil on the continent, but he 
could take any Canadian who wished it to Nova Scotia, to 
some of the fertile valleys of the west, and point out land 
equal to the best in the western peninsula. (Hear, hear.) 
But though the agricultural interest in Nova Scotia was 
an important one, it did not predominate. A large portion 
of the people were engaged in the fisheries, and drew from 
their inexhaustible stores immense quantities of that 
which added to the richness and value of the country. 
(Applause.) And this pursuit trained up a large body of 
hardy men, who, if we become one nation, would be ready 
in the hour of danger to bear the flag of England. But 
the fishing and farming interests were not all ; for Nova 
Scotia was extensively engaged in manufactures, and in 
the export of lumber. In that interest which was mixed 
up with the lumber interest, namely, shipping, he believed 
that, man for man, the people of Nova Scotia had a larger 
tonnage than any country in the world. (Cheers.) It 
was a fact, that for every man, woman and child in Nova 
Scotia there was about a ton of shipping. (Applause.) 
But, passing over the agricultural, the fishing and lumber- 
ing interests, he would come to a still larger and more 
important one, which stood out on the borders of the 
broad Atlantic. On the entire coast of Nova Scotia there 



96 UNION" OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

were inexhaustible mines of that which influenced the 
industry of the world— coal. (Applause.) These mines 
were planted by the hand of nature, ready to be transported 
to supply the wants of the people of the Atlantic coast. 
No change of circumstances or political relations could 
ever prevent the people of Nova Scotia from having that 
material which all the Atlantic States of the neighboring 
country must have, and which they could get from no 
other place. (Applause.) Since 1858 when they were 
opened to free mining, twenty-five large coal mines had 
been opened, and it could be easily seen that with such 
resources the future of that country did not depend on the 
relations of any other country. As the Delegates from 
Canada travelled over the country what did they find ? 
That there were in one harbor no fewer than 80 square 
rigged vessels, representing a capacity of 16,000 tons, 
employed to convey coals to the Americans on the Atlantic 
border. (Cheers.) This was a scene repeated in many 
harbors ; nevertheless, with all this supplying power, the 
Province was unable to supply the demand for coal. He 
did not speak of these things in a boasting spirit of his 
country — a country which he hoped would soon be the 
country of the people of Canada. (Loud cheers.) He 
only mentioned these facts to show the people of Canada 
that if Nova Scotia came into this Union, and if it came to 
ask Canada to associate with her, it was in no cringing 
attitude. (Cheers.) Nova Scotia came not asking Canada 
to accept her, or let her into the Union, but she told Canada 
that with the magnificent back country of the latter, and with 
her territory and wealth, and her desire to become a great 
nation, Nova Scotia had a frontier and resources of which 
she need not be ashamed — (applause) — but if Nova Scotia 
enjoyed, as she did to a large extent, all the advantages of 
freedom and of responsible institutions, why was she desir- 
ous to change her relations ? He believed the condition 
of the people of the British North American Provinces was 
exceptional. He believed that if things could continue in 
the future as in the past, no class of people in the world 
would have a greater share of blessings than the people of 
these provinces. (Applause.) We had all the privileges 
of freemen without their burdens. (Hear, hear.) But 
the time had come when we could not expect this state of 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 97 

things to continue. The people of old England were a 
heavily taxed people, and they were not going to be taxed 
for ever to support us, while we were doing nothing. 
(Hear, hear.) We feel that circumstances are occurring 
on our border which render it necessary that we should be 
stirring on our own behalf, and besides all this, can we 
help feeling that it is humiliating to have everything 
done for us while we do nothing for ourselves. (Hear, 
hear.) The time had arrived when we were about to 
assume the position of a great nation, and such being the 
case, we should not shrink from its responsibilities. The 
people of the Lower Provinces entertain a magnificent idea 
of the grandeur which awaits us all. A united nation, we 
shall become a great country, and the time is not far dis- 
tant when a colossal power, growing up on the continent, 
shall stand with one foot on the Pacific and the other on 
the Atlantic, and shall present to the world, even on this 
side of the Atlantic, the proof that monarchial institutions 
are not inconsistent with civil and religious liberty, and 
the fullest measure of material advancement. (Loud 
cheers.) 

Lieut. Col. the Hon. John Hamilton Gray, of New 
Brunswick, rose to respond on behalf of that Province — 
when the cheering had ceased he proceeded to say, — that 
being placed in the same position as his honorable friend 
on the right, who had just addressed them, he had, on the 
part of New Brunswick, to acknowledge with thanks the 
kind reception of the toast. And he must say that the em- 
barrassment he would naturally feel under ordinary circum- 
stances in addressing such an assembly faded away before 
the cordiality of their welcome. That reminded him, that 
while it was unquestionably the duty of statesmen to con- 
sider the bearing any question of importance might have 
upon the material interests of the people entrusted to their 
care, yet it was equally their duty to remember that there 
were times and occasions when kindred emotions and kin- 
dred sentiments rose superior to the cold calculations of in- 
terest, and pointed the way to honor and to patriotism. 
(Cheers.) The present was such an occasion. At no\ 
period before in the history of British North America had \ 
anv question of such importance been presented to the / 
9 



98 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

people. It was not simply that the Delegates from the 
maritime provinces were here assembled to enjoy a hospi- 
tality so generous that no language could properly express 
their appreciation of it, but their presence — the presence 
of this vast assemblage — was the public recognition of the 
fact, that a question was now before the people of the 
greatest importance, momentous in its character, and 
pregnant with influence over the future destinies of this 
vast country. The public men of the maritime provinces 
had for years looked forward to a union with Canada. 
They had hoped for it — they had spoken for it — not sim- 
ply a commercial connection, but a political connection—- 
merging our interests, our character, our wealth, in one 
common union. He could not forget that at a time, in 
1837 and 1838, when Canada was threatened with invasion 
from abroad — the several Legislatures of the maritime 
provinces had. by unanimous votes, by acclamation, 
placed at the disposal of their Sovereign their entire 
revenues, property and wealth, to aid their brethren in 
the west. (Loud cheers.) He could not fail to recall 
that since that day their public men had striven for this 
union. Year after year they had turned their attention to 
the construction of the great Intercolonial Railway which 
would bring us closer together. Their Legislatures had 
passed Bills — had granted subsidies — arrangements had 
been made with Canada, yet year after year from causes 
which it would be difficult to explain, the object had 
eluded their grasp, and it was only when it appeared be- 
yond attainment, when the hopes of their people, their 
Legislatures and their public men, were fading away, that 
they turned their backs on this cherished idea, and the 
Parliaments of the maritime provinces had directed cer- 
tain of their leading men to assemble at Charlottetown in 
Prince Edward Island, and consider how best a union 
could be effected among themselves, since one with Canada 
seemed unattainable. When assembled for that purpose,the 
Ministry from Canada came down and proposed, that, 
instead of remaining longer divided, we should come to- 
gether, and see if we could not lay the foundations of a 
great empire which should perpetuate on this continent 
the principles of British constitutional liberty. (Cheers.) 
He need not say that a proposition so entirely in accord- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PBOVINCES. 99 

ance with the cherished purpose of their lives was received 
with unqualified satisfaction. He need not say that the 
statesmen of Canada, fully sustaining their character for 
talent, had, on that occasion, placed before the assembled 
Delegates of the maritime provinces such clear, simple, 
yet masterly arguments why the larger union should 
take place, that no hesitation was felt in foregoing the 
immediate object of their meeting, and in placing the cir- 
cumstances which had arisen before their respective 
governments. Those governments then delegated them to 
meet the Canadian Ministry at Quebec. (Cheers.) It 
was not his duty, on the present occasion, because he 
thought it would more properly come from one of their 
own Ministry, to give the details of the conclusion at 
which they had arrived ; — the conclusion itself was known 
to all. He, therefore, would make no observations on that 
topic, but if they would permit him, he would call their 
attention, for a few moments, to the resources and position 
of the maritime provinces. They came not seeking to 
enter into this Confederation as suppliants. They came 
not to draw upon the resources of Canada. No ! Though 
they respected the superior position of Canada, though they 
admitted the rapidity of her progress in all the material 
elements of greatness; they yet thought they could give 
something which would aid her, would enable her to take 
a higher position amid the nations of the earth. (Cheers.) 
Ten years ago he had visited Montreal on a public mission 
of importance to his own Province, and he could only say 
that the rapid advance made by this City in the intervening 
period was sufficient to paralyze the most powerful imagi- 
nation. He now saw costly structures where before there 
were none. He saw numerous buildings which indicated 
not only wealth, but refinement, rising in places which were 
then open fields, almost a morass, broad streets and noble 
edifices. It was impossible for any man not to see that 
this City was fast making strides which would soon place 
it among the first commercial cities of the continent. 
(Cheers.) In the vastness of the matters with which they 
iad to deal, Canadians had paid but little attention to the 
maritime provinces. Probably some few who had visited 
them were not entirely ignorant of their advantages, but, 
as they did not lie immediately on the shortest at present 



100 UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 

available route' to Europe, the tendency of the Canadians 
had been rather to look in some other direction ; another 
day, however, would shortly come. They would be better 
understood and appreciated. The maritime provinces 
were worthy of their regard. The amount of capital, the 
extent of the resources they would bring into the Union, 
their exhaustless mines, their broad coal fields, their deep 
sea fisheries, their hardy and enterprising population would 
form no inconsiderable elements in the foundation of a 
great nation. The revenue of the four maritime provinces 
for the year 1863 by the official returns amounted to 
$2,340,000, but so far as had yet been ascertained for the 
year 1864 there had been an increase of 20 per cent, 
bringing the amount to nearly $3,000,000, (three millions,) 
an increase which, judging from the past financial history 
of those provinces, might fairly be counted upon as still 
progressive. The imports and exports of those four pro- 
vinces from the same returns, for the year 1863, amounted 
to $44,200,000. He believed those of Canada had amount- 
ed to between $80 and $90,000,000. Thus it would be 
seen the trade of the maritime provinces approached to 
nearly the half of that of Canada. (Cheers.) The popu- 
lation of the maritime provinces, as shewn by the census of 
. 1857 and 1861, (they were not taken in each of the Pro- 
vinces in the same year,) was 804,000 ; but allowing for 
the natural increase since those periods, might now be 
safely put down at 900,000. With reference to the shipping- 
trade of the maritime provinces, he would observe the 
registered tonnage by the returns of 1863 amounted to 
645,530 tons, which at $40 per ton, a not unreasonable 
valuation, represented an available transferable property of 
$27,821,200 — in one article alone — and he would observe 
as an evidence of the soundness of the financial position of 
those four Provinces, that during the present year, 1864, 
after paying all debts and liabilities, they would have a 
clear surplus of between $450,000 and $500,000, to be 
applied to the future exigencies of the several Provinces 
us the respective Legislatures might determine, each dis- 
posing, of course, of its own surplus. These figures 
•appeared large, but they indicated plainly that in the con- 
templated arrangement, the maritime provinces could take 
an honorable position. While, however, the revenue and 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 101 

position of Canada could not but be appreciated, he must- 
make one observation : great as was their trade, powerful 
as were their commercial connections, and extensive as was 
their domain, they stood for six months in the year with- 
out the power of access to one mile of sea coast, or one 
wave of salt water, accept through the territory of their 
neighbors. When, during those six months. Englishmen 
or Canadians desire to send the proceeds of their industry 
from Europe to Canada, or from Canada to Europe, they 
must pass, he would not say through a hostile territory, 
for he hoped it was a friendly one — (applause) — but, at 
any rate, a passage had to he asked through territory not 
their own, through lands not under British control. 
They held their trade at the beck and bidding of a nation 
that might be their foe — a position inconsistent, apart from 
all other considerations, with the dignity of any country 
which desired to take a proper position in the world. 
(Cheers.) The maritime provinces proposed to add their 
marine to that of Canada, This done, and British North 
America would become the fourth Maritime Power in the 
world — England, France, and the United States would, 
alone have a marine superior to ours. Canada, standing 
alone, cannot claim that position, nor can the maritime 
provinces. Isolated, our position is sinignificant — but 
unite us, and there was no country, save England, from 
whom we claim our birth — save the United States whose 
power was derived from the same parent source — save 
France, from whom many of those here present had sprung, 
could take rank before us. (Loud cheers.) He could not 
but call attention to the fact, that in Canada were com- 
bined the talents and characteristics of the most industri- 
ous and energetic, as well as of the most cultivated and 
spirituel races in the world. (Cheers.) If we turneaN 
back a few years we found, written on the pages of the 
history of this country, records of heroic deeds. From 
the plains of Abraham the ascending spirits of Montcalm 
and Wolfe — united in their death — -left us the heritage of 
a common country and a glorious name. (Cheers.) Many 
men have believed that a mere commercial union, a 
Zolverein, might accomplish the object now sought to 
be obtained ; but in the opinion of practical men, men of 
sense, integrity and experience, this could not be done, 



1 



10$ UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

For the last 10 or 15 years the Provinces had been sepa- 
rately carrying on great public works, for which the public 
credit had been pledged, and it must be apparent to all 
that it was the duty of each Province, as it was indeed a 
point of honor, to maintain its credit intact. While this 
was the case, it might become the interest of one Province, 
nay a necessity, to impose duties on articles that might 
be inconsistent with the interests and position of the other 
Provinces. Trade would be governed by no great or per- 
manent principles. The tariff would fluctuate with local 
expediency, and be varying and uncertain. Therefore, in 
the absence of any general arrangement, by which the 
individual liability of each province could be removed and 
the general credit afterwards effectually maintained, it 
was apparent that a mere commercial union, of the kind 
referred to, was impossible. It would fade away before 
the neccessities of the occasion. But apart from this 
question of a commercial union, would they permit him 
to express the opinion that they wanted something more — 
they wanted a National Union, one that would enable 
them totako an honorable place among the nations of the 
earth. (Cheers.) Turning to the subject of National 
Union, the honorable and gallant Colonel said he would 
not appeal to the company simply as men, having a proper 
pride in their country and in themselves, but he would 
speak to them from a material point of view. He would 
ask them to bear in mind how little each man contributed 
towards the defence of his country. He asked them to* 
turn their eyes to Europe, to Kussia, to France, to Eng- ' 
land, to the United States, and tell him upon what spot 
they could place a finger where the people contributed so 
little towards the defence of their hearths and their homes , 
as did we in British North America. (Cheers.) If, in 
England, would they not have to contribute largely of 
their incomes towards the support of the Army and Navy ? 
No doubt it was a glorious thing to be able to boast of 
the triumphs of the British arms, to claim a share in the 
achievements of her warriors, to speak of their victories 
as ours ; but we had not contributed much from our trea- 
sury to the support of the one or the attainment of the 
other ; we had sent our sons and our brothers to take their 
places in the field, and thank God, in the hour of difficulty 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 103 

and trial, they had shed lustre on the country of their 
birth. They had shared in the rewards and honors which 
a generous country could bestow ; but what had we con- 
tributed to the support of the Army and Navy ? Not one 
farthing. England drew from the industry of her own 
Isles alone the means of their maintenance. We would 
be unworthy of our heritage and race if we did not 
take cognizance of the fact, and when the mother 
country pointed out to us, that in her opinion the time 
had come for us to do something for ourselves, we did not 
show that we were prepared to do so, (Cheers ) With- 
out violating any rule of secrecy, he might state that the 
maritime provinces had gone hand in hand with the 
representatives of Canada, and were prepared to place all 
their resources, all their wealth, all their power in one 
general fund for the maintenance of the liberty and honor 
of all. (Prolonged cheers.) He had had the opportunity 
that morning, and a source of great gratification it was to 
him, to visit the Volunteer Armories in this City. He was 
much pleased to see the nucleus of an organization thus 
established around which the country could rally in time 
of difficulty or danger. (Cheers.) He had already tres- 
passed on their time, (no, no, go on,) but he had only a 
few words more to say. He had to ask them all sincerely, 
that if they approved of this great scheme, this union of 
their common interests, that their first step would be to 
sanction by the expression of their strong and earnest 
opinion the construction of that work which was alone 
required to bring us together, which would give them, 
even in the depth of their long winters, free access to the 
sea, which would make the people of the maritime provinces 
and of Canada no longer strangers to each other, but 
brothers in identity of interests as well as of race. This 
question of the Union of the Provinces was one of deep 
importance. And, (continued the honorable gentleman), 
I now call upon you, Canadians, by your own name, here 
in the presence of your own hills, which rose to their 
majestic height ere yet your race began, — here in the pre- 
sence of your own St. Lawrence, hallowed by the memory of 
Cartier, and spanned by the stupendous work which shews 
that in the onward march of progress and improvement, 
you are not behind — by the memory of the past, by the 



104 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

spirit of the present, by the hopes of the future, — I call \ 
upon you to rally round a proposition which will tend to \ 
perpetuate the glory of your name, and promote the p ros-^ / 
perity and happiness of your people. (Great cheering, 
during which the speaker resumed his seat.) 

The Hon John Ambrose Shea, of Newfoundland, on 
rising to return thanks on behalf of the Colony which he 
represented, was greeted with hearty cheers. He said — 
since the arrival of the delegates in this country they had 
been the recipients of the most princely hospitality, and 
such was truly the character of that which they were now 
permitted to enjoy. Though remembrance of such scenes 
as the present would not soon be effaced from their 
memories, these demonstrations had a much higher signi- 
ficance than mere good fellowship ; they demonstrated 
how much general interest was taken in the question of 
Confederation. Canada had many great advantages that 
he was perfectly willing to admit, but it would be his duty 
to mention a few facts which would shew that it would be 
no disadvantage for her to unite with Newfoundland. 
(Hear, hear.) In considering an union of the Provinces, 
it became necessary to take into account the position of the 
proposed Confederation with regard to safety and defence 
(Hear, hear.) In this view, the position of the Island of 
Newfoundland became one of marked significance. Look 
at it stretched right across the Gulf of St. Lawrence, com- 
manding both passages by which the vast trade of the 
Gulf region and of the St. Lawrence river finds its way to 
the ocean. Were this Colony in the hands of a hostile 
power in war time, the trade of Canada would be hermeti- 
cally sealed, as if perpetual winter prevailed here. (Hear.) 
Considering this, the statesmen lately assembled at Quebec 
at once considered that the Confederation would be inse- 
cure unless Newfoundland were made a portion of it. 
(Applause.) Nor was it a colony the least entitled to con- 
sideration on account of its commercial and financial 
standing, and the benefits thence to be derived. And, 
perhaps, he would be pardoned going into somewhat 
minute details — more, indeed, than many of his hearers 
might desire. Well, then, Newfoundland had a coast of 
twelve hundred miles, with some of the finest harbors in 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 105 

the world, in which ships of the Navy might repose in 
security. (Hear.) The agricultural capabilities of New- 
foundland were not, he admitted, of the highest order ; its 
soil and climate were not well calculated for the highest 
conditions of agriculture, but still it derived considerable 
advantage from them. Some agricultural operations had 
been conducted with marked success. It possessed large 
tracts of country highly valuable for grazing purposes, and 
but for the presence of a race of dogs, for which its people 
exhibited marked partiality, farming would be very profit- 
able to those engaged in it. (Laughter.) The main stay 
of Newfoundland, the main element of its wealth was, 
however, its fisheries; in which was employed 30,000 men, 
able, hardy, industrious, fit sailors for anything in which 
daring and energy were required. In the article of fish it 
had commercial relations with almost every maritime 
nation in Europe, with Brazil and the United States. 
With the Colonies of British North America, however, its 
relations were very limited. The imports of Newfound- 
land were from five to six million dollars annually ; the 
exports were six or seven millions per annum. The ex- 
ports almost invariably exceeded the imports. Three 
hundred and fifty vessels were employed in seal fishing, 
manned by about fourteen thousand men, the very best and 
most active portion of the community. The Kevenue of 
Newfoundland was higher than that of any of the British 
North American Provinces, man for man of the population, 
because it imported almost everything it required. With 
a population of 130,000 it had a revenue of $500,000 to 
$550, 000. The debt, he was happy to say, was not very 
large compared with the other colonies, being about 
8900,000. Eepresented by public buildings of various 
descriptions, the province had ample tangible value for all 
the money it had expended, while such was the credit in 
which its securities were held, that the government had no 
difficulty, even at the present moment, when the rate of in- 
terest in England was unusually high, in raising money at 
44 per cent. (Loud applause) . They had a Savings Bank in 
St. John's, guaranteed by the government, in which were de- 
posited the earnings of its industriours people to the extent 
of nearly $900,000 (Hear.) The country had not been 
sufficiently explored to enable him to say a great deal as 



106 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

to the mineral deposits which lay within its bosom, but it 
was known that there were some very important lead 
mines; copper mines, too, had been found in various local- 
ities, and it was believed that a very valuable gold mine 
would be found on the gulf where investigations were now 
being made under the direction of Sir W. Logan, to whom 
he took the opportunity of returning thanks for the great 
assistance he had afforded the people of the Island. (Hear.) 
There were about 1,200 vessels entering and clearing 
annually, going to all countries. With regard to the 
financial position of the Island, he might say that, perhaps, 
it was sounder than that of any of the colonies or States 
of America, in spite of the unusual vicissitudes of trade. 
In proof of this he would observe that in 1846 a serious 
calamity befel the town of St. Johns ; it was visited by a 
serious conflagration, which swept the whole business part 
of the place, leaving no store nor wharf, so that some 
thought the city never could recover from its effects. The 
amount of loss was between five and six millions, not one 
fourth of which was covered by insurance. The city did, 
however, recover, and no man failed to meet his business 
engagements in consequence of the calamity. (Cheers.) 
The Bank of British North America was then the only 
Bank doing business in the community, and at the time 
of the fire the amount of paper it held was larger than it 
had been for several years ; yet he could assert that not a 
single man failed to discharge his obligations to the Bank; 
nay more, when the Bank which had been doing business 
twenty years at last wound up its affairs, the whole of the 
paper held was handed over to another Bank and taken at 
its face value, without any reduction. (Hear.) These 
statements might appear extravagant, but he made them 
in presence of gentlemen acquainted with the facts, and 
his position relieved him from suspicion of indulging 
in misstatements. (Applause.) Under these circumstances 
Newfoundland might claim to come into the Confederation 
on honorable and independent grounds. It would contri- 
bute its share to the general stock of advantages to be en- 
joyed. (Hear.) He had said that the imports amounted 
to between five and six millions. Now, of this they re- 
ceived from one million five hundred thousand to one 
million seven hundred and fifty thousand in value from 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 107 

the United States, chiefly in flour, butter, and other 
articles of that description. A very small proportion of 
imports came from Canada. Why ? Was it because the 
United States offered superior commercial advantages ? 
This was not the case ; they could generally purchase on 
better terms in Canada than in the United States. (Hear.) 
It would, no doubt, be said that political arrangements 
could have no effect, could exercise no control, over matters 
of this kind. That doctrine, however, had its limits, which 
were in some cases very remarkable; but let them look at 
the inter-colonial railroad as an illustration. That road 
would be productive of the most important commercial 
advantages to the people of these Provinces, and yet every 
one knew that might have remained for years without any 
progress towards completion had it not now become a 
political necessity. How did Newfoundland stand towards 
Canada at the present moment ? Its people had to go to the 
United States to do business, for they had to pass by way 
of Halifax and Boston to reach Montreal. It took nearly a 
month to carry letters between Canada and Newfoundland 
and back, and the rate of postage was double what it was 
between the Colonies and Great Britain. If arrangements 
had been made designed for the purpose of preventing 
commercial intercourse they could not have been made 
more effective than these. (Hear, hear.) A commercial 
union would do away with such anomalous and almost 
barbarous features, which all the colonies evidently felt it 
necessary to uphold in the present position of affairs, not- 
withstanding the fact that they were regarded in England 
as remarkable illustrations of strange political heresies. 
These must be got rid of. They must establish steam com- 
munication between Newfoundland and Canada. That 
Island had what Canada required, and wanted what 
Canada furnished. Newfoundland was obliged to pay a 
million dollars hard money for what it obtained from the 
United States, without having any reciprocal advantages 
to obtain from them ; it was owing to fiscal impediments 
between the colonies that its trade went thither. With 
free trade it would be a purchaser in Canada for her 
woollens, her leather goods, her cutlery and products of 
these manufactures which were every day growing up 
within her borders, and must, no doubt, considerably in- 



108 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

crease. Give Newfoundland the means of entering into 
trade relations, and trade would soon spring up. (Ap- 
plause.) Under the proposed Confederation the town of 
St. John's would become the most easternmost part of the 
great Union, and by making it a point of call for the 
magnificent steamers of which Canada was so justly proud, 
it would be placed within six days of the mother country. 
A close connection with that country was what he believed 
all the colonies desired, and speaking for his own Province 
of Newfoundland, he would say he hoped the day was far 
distant when she would have forced upon her any other 
allegiance than that she now rejoiced to acknowledge, 
however remote the contingency of change in this respect 
might be. (Cheers.) When such issues were involved it 
would be unwise and short sighted, if due weight were not 
given to it by the men charged with the grave task of lay- 
ing the foundation of a new empire. (Applause.) He 
would say but one word more, for he felt he had already 
trespassed too long upon his hearers' patience. (No, no.) 
It was that the question of Confederation had never been, in 
the colony he represented, much discussed in its press ; he 
he and his fellow laborer were here simply as expressing 
their own opinions on the subject ; but he did not hesitate 
to say that he would think it a grave error if the people 
failed to enter into what had been the unanimous feeling 
of the Conference, and hesitated to become members of the 
Confederation, charged with so high a mission of grandeur, 
whose future it was impossible for the wildest imagination 
to over-estimate. (Cheers.) 

The Honorable Colonel Gray, Premier of the Prince 
Edward Island Government, then rose and said : — We had 
heard from our friends from the other three Provinces a 
great deal of the commercial, political and military element. 
Now. as his friends had rather transgressed upon the usual 
time that had been devoted heretofore to these subjects, he 
proposed to have something said of the socinl. and asked 
permission for his friend and co-delegate, (Hon. Mr. 
Whelan,) to respond, on behalf of Prince Edward Island, 
as there were none better able or more worthy, as a son 
of Erin, to give effect to their feelings, in answer to the 
cordial and appropriate motto with which they had been 
welcomed : " Caed mille faeltha" (Cheers.) 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 109 

The Honorable Edward Whelan, M. P. P., then rose 
amid loud and protracted cheers, and spoke as follows : He 
was grateful to the gallant Colonel for the call with which 
he had been honored, and also for the handsome but wholly 
undeserved terms in which his name had been announced. 
While any man, no matter how great his ability, might be 
justly proud of the position in which he w r as placed, he 
could not subdue a feeling of embarrassment at the con- 
sciousness that he stood in the presence of some of the first 
men of British America, and before others w T ho had ren- 
derered eminent service to the crown in the four quarters 
o'f the globe. He felt assured, however, that his embar- 
rassment would receive the generous consideration of the 
many kind friends around him, who would readily forget and 
forgive in a stranger the errors he might commit, whether, 
like angels' visits, they should be " few and far between," or 
"thick as leaves in Vallambrosa," He would, however, 
bear in mind that the best quality of an after-dinner speech 
was brevity. Speeches, on such an occasion as the present, 
should be, if possible, like the champagne before them, 
bright and sparkling, and as soon disposed of. (Cheers.) 
Kow, his first duty was to thank that distinguished 
audience, in the name of the people of Prince Edward 
Island, for the honor conferred upon their representatives 
in connection with the other delegates, not only for the 
splendid entertainment before them, but for the cordial 
and overpowering welcome they had received on their visit 
to this fair city, the great commercial emporium of Canada, 
the grandeur of whose busy marts and palatial residences 
bear testimony to the enterprise, public spirit and refined 
tastes of her sons. (Applause.) He was well aware that 
the compliment was not so much to the gentlemen com- 
posing the delegation as to the colony which they had the 
honor to represent. He accepted it in that spirit, and 
thanked their generous entertainers for it. Politicians 
are generally cunning fellows, and those in the several 
Maritime Governments showed this quality to great ad- 
vantage when they appointed members of the Opposition, 
to which, in Prince Edward Island, he had the honor to 
belong, but from the cares of which he hoped to be soon 
relieved — (laughter) — to aid them in perfecting the great 
scheme of Confederation, because if the people of the 



110 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

several Provinces should be so unwise as to complain that 
their, liberties and cherished institutions have been taken 
from them, the Opposition would have to bear the censure 
as well as those in the Administration. Members of the 
Government might say, in reply to any complaint, that the 
gentlemen opposite have been quite as bad as themselves. 
The sequel, he hoped, however, would prove that Confed- 
eration would be the means of enlarging our liberties in- 
stead of restricting them, and that our noble institutions 
would be strengthened and consolidated, instead of impe- 
rilled, by the proposed alliance. The present was his first 
visit to Canada. He was so deeply impressed with the 
greatness of the country in every respect, which so far ex- 
ceeded his expectations, that he ardently hoped it would 
not be his last. It was great, he said, in its industrial^ 
commercial and natural resources, in the countless trea J 
sures of its vast forests, its inexhaustible mines, its gigantic 
public works, whose value is estimated by many millions X 
of dollars; in the vast lakes which were small inland 
seas, and the mighty river which flows past us, being 
the natural highway to and from the Lower Provinces, 
inviting an interchange of our commercial relations, and an 
expansion of the resources of them all. It was great, too, 
for the history it has bequeathed to all time, and which 
may now be referred to without disturbing the sensitive- 
ness of the gallant people, who, only a little more than one 
hundred years ago, acknowledged the sovereignty of Great 
Britain. Pie had read that history, and while in Quebec 
he did not fail to visit some of the places which were made 
famous by the marvellous enterprise and heroism of Wolfe. 
Montmorenci, at which the first dash was made for the 
conquest of Quebec, was a place of stirring interest which 
no visitor could pass by. The Falls were not, perhaps, 
very wonderful in themselves, (in being directed to the upper 
portion of which he was indebted to a most agreeable and 
intelligent French Canadian girl,) but the historic associa- 
tions which they recall give them an enduring claim to at- 
tention. He visited the Cove and walked up the narrow 
pass which led Wolf and a few followers to the Plains of 
Abraham, where a soldier's death closed his conquest of 
Canada. He was delighted to visit in the Governor's Gar- 
den the monument to the memory of Wolfe and Montcalm* 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. Ill 

It was a generous and noble impulse in the Earl of Dalhouise 
thus to commemorate the names of both heroes, both foe- 
men worthy of the great struggle in which they were 
engaged, both illustrious in their lives, and honored and 
lamented in their death ; one the idol of the English 
nation, the other the embodiment of all that is virtuous 
and chivalrous in the French character. (Cheers.) The 
names of the two great Generals, thus united and thus 
commemorated, beautifully symbolized the close union 
now subsisting between the French and British races in 
Canada. (Cheers.) But of all the attributes of the 
greatness of Canada, there was one other which he could 
not overlook. It was to be seen in the personal character 
of the people of Canada, in the large and generous heart 
which seemed to throb alike from one end of the Province 
to the other. Unaffected by distinctions of race, nation- 
ality or creed, it appeared to feel, and give visible mani- 
festations of the feeling, that it was capacious enough to 
enfold within its tendrils every section of British America. 
The only fear was that the caressing, as in the case of the 
Delegates, might be too warmly given, and that they 
might suffer a most agreeable death from the operation. 
This was not intended to apply to the fair ladies of Canada, 
(laughter,) for the Delegates being all married men, were, 
of course, like Caesar's wife, above suspicion as regards a 
breach of the marital engagement, for if not so circum- 
stanced they would be as dead as Julius Caesar long ago. 
(Laughter.) He would now, with the permission of the 
chair, offer one or two observations touching the important 
business which had brought the several Delegates to 
Canada, and in doing so he would so express himself as 
not to violate the confidence which the Convention seem- 
ed to consider so essential to the success of their delibera- 
tions. Politicians sometimes take extraordinary liberties 
with the patience of the public, and perhaps they did this 
when they resolved upon holding a secret Conference ; but 
it may be, that they had so many dark sins to confess to 
each other that they imagined it would not be safe to let 
the public listen to the confession. He would, however, 
bear testimony to the fact that the confession was a most 
satisfactory one. Each felt that he was entitled to political 
absolution for many sins done by his province, and now 



112 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

behold (said lie. touching the champagne glass,) how 
earnestly we are all doing penance. (Laughter.) The 
Confederation of the Provinces may not follow immediate- 
ly in the steps of the Conference, but that it will come, or 
that our condition will become very much worse than it is 
at present, seems morally certain. Nothing can be worse 
than to become the prey of a military despotism, not far 
distant, wherein every vestige of liberty is daily offered as a 
sacrifice to the Moloch of Ambition, and wherein the ties that 
were supposed to bind two people of common origin and com- 
mon language, are now brittle as glass, and an opportunity 
is desired to cry "havoc and let slip the dogs of war" upon 
unoffending colonists. If we want to avoid such a misfor- 
tune the people of British America must become more 
united than they are at present. The Convention, whose 
labors have just closed, took the first step in that direction. 
In the Colonies we have been strangers to each other too 
long, as much so as if we lived under separate sovereign- 
ties. We have been jealous and apprehensive of each 
other ; mutually restricting our trade and placing obstacles 
in the way of our prosperity — not knowing and not res- 
pecting each other as we should. In our separate and 
disjointed condition, we have not been and never can be, 
treated with due respect by our powerful foreign neigh- 
bors. Even England is concerned for our feeble and de- 
fenceless state, and gently chides us for our apparent 
supineness and indifference. The Confederation, if per- 
fected, will remove that stain, and give all the colonies a 
national and indivisible character. It will be seen that 
we are willing to struggle and make sacrifices for our own 
protection ; and then should an evil day and evil counsels 
bring a conflict upon us, we may rest assured that the red 
right arm of Britain will be bared to aid us in repelling 
aggression. (Loud cheers.) He had only seen, a day or 
two ago, an able article in the London Telegraph — a paper 
of great influence and ability — in which this view was 
clearly set forth — that England would be always willing 
to help us if we first helped ourselves. Alluding to the 
proposed Confederation, the writer said: — "Firmly be- 
lieving that the project will be immensely beneficial to the 
Colonies, we are convinced that it will be equally accept- 
able to the Home Government. As the matter already 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. llS 

stands, England is committed to the protection of every 
acre of her soil, be it on the Indus, the Murray, the St. 
Lawrence, or the Thames. Doubtless the responsibility 
is great, doubtless the work is arduous ; but the duty 
exists. The best way, indeed, to lighten it, is to call upon 
our colonies themselves to take measures for their own 
defence, assuring them that whenever the odds are too 
heavily against them, whenever the danger becomes serious, 
we pledge the British Empire to their aid/' (Loud cheers.) 
Mr. Whelan continued — Commercial and pecuniary mo- 
tives, if no other of a sterner nature prevailed, should cer- 
tainly teach us to unite. There should be no hostile or 
restrictive tariffs between the several Provinces — no dissi- 
milar postal regulations — no dissimilarity in our currency 
and exchange. Our commerce, which now flows into 
other channels, where we get little thanks for it, would 
diffuse its enriching streams amongst ourselves, and 
nothing could possibly prevent us from becoming a great 
and powerful Confederacy. The union proposed by the 
Conference, in which there were mutual concessions of 
small sectional claims, and a unanimous desire for con- 
ciliation, will not, when its deliberations are more fully 
known, alarm any man. Large sectional rights and 
interests are proposed to be preserved. The connexion 
with the British Crown will not only be not impaired, but 
will be strengthened ; and for the preservation of those 
free institutions which we all value so much, and which 
we hope to transmit to future generations, he thought 
there was but one remedy, and that remedy was union. 
(Cheers.) But let no man imagine that this much desired 
object can be effected at Quebec or Montreal. The great 
work is but commenced. The halls of the several local 
Legislatures, the constituencies of each Province in public 
meetings assembled, and at the hustings, are the places in 
which the great question must be settled. It will be the 
duty of the public men in each and every Province whose 
representatives are now in Canada to educate the public 
mind up to the adoption of their views. The task may be 
a tedious, difficult and protracted one ; but no great mea- 
sure was ever yet accomplished, or worth much, unless 
surrounded with difficulties. Defering reverently to the 
public opinion of his own Province, he would cheerfully 



114 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

go amongst his people, and explaining it as well as he 
could, he would ask them to support a measure which he 
believed will enhance their prosperity. Few and compa- 
ratively poor as the population of the Island of Prince 
Edward may be now, its fertile fields and valleys are 
capable of supporting a population at least three times 
greater than it is at present. It was once designated the 
garden of the St. Lawrence, and it was a valuable fishing 
station for Canada during the occupation of the French 
under Montcalm. It still possesses all the qualities of a 
garden, and its rivers and bays still abound with fish. He 
desired that those great resources should become as well 
known now and in the future as they were in by-gone days ; 
and regarding the advantages which modern improvements. 
and institutions afforded as auxiliaries to the natural 
resources of his Colony, he was satisfied that she could not 
fail to become very prosperous and happy under the pro- 
posed Confederation. (Loud cheers.) 

The Chairman then proposed " Our Sister Colonies/' 
which, having been duly honored, the Band laid aside their 
instruments, and sung a thrilling melody, each verse of 
which ended with the chorus: 

" Then let us be firm and united — 
One country, one flag for us all; 
United, our strength will be freedom — 
Divided, we each of us fall." 

The song having been encored, was sung again, and 
cheered rapturously — 

The Hon. T. Heath Haviland, M. P. P., of Prince 
Edward Island, volunteered a response to the toast as 
follows: As a member of the smallest province of the 
whole, he would not detain the audience long. At the same 
time he desired to draw attention to some peculiar facts 
connected with the present movement. They might re- 
collect that this was not the first time that states had met 
together to organize a constitution, for in times gone by 
the states of Holland had met to resist the tyranny of the 
Spanish Government; and the old Thirteen States of Ame- 
rica had also assembled under the cannon's mouth and the 
roar of artillery; but the peculiarity of this meeting was 



TJNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 11 5 

that it was held in a time of peace, with the approbation, 
and he believed, with the sanction of Her Majesty, that 
the colonies might throw aside their swaddling clothes, to 
pnt on themselves the garb of manhood, and hand down 
to posterity the glorious privileges for which their ancestors 
contended from age to age in the old country, and which 
had been brought into these new countries under the pro- 
tecting shadow of the flag that had braved a thousand 
years the battle and the breeze. (Hear.) Although 
Prince Edward Island had only 80,000 inhabitants, prin- 
cipally engaged in agriculture, yet small as it was it did 
not come as a beggar to the Conference doors. Its revenue 
was certainly not very great, but there was yet a surplus 
of about £4,000 sterling to the credit of the Province over 
and above the £36,000 it had spent for the Government 
last year. Thus, it did not come as a pauper, but was 
honestly prepared to do something — all in its power — to 
organize here in America a constitutional monarchy which 
should be able to spread those institutions in which there 
was the soul of liberty. (Hear, hear.) The despotism now 
prevailing over our border was greater than even that of 
Kussia. The liberty of the press was gone. Liberty in 
the States was altogether a delusion, a mockery and a 
snare. No man there could express an opinion unless it 
agreed with the opinion of the majority for the time 
being ; as for the rights of the minority, they were not 
recognized ; they did not exist, and the majority rode 
rough-shod over all. (Hear, hear.) Well, Prince Ed- 
ward Island, though it was small, was prepared to take a 
burthen upon it, and share with the other maritime Pro- 
vinces in contributing towards military defence. (Hear, 
hear.) He believed the day would come when the battle 
of civil and religious liberty would have to be fought in 
America, and he felt that it would be fought between 
Canada and the United States. When that time came 
Prince Edward Island would be prepared to contribute its 
quota of men and money in order to aid Canada in defend- 
ing those free institutions which are so dear to us as British 
Americans. (Hear, hear.) There was a point of impor- 
tance connected with this subject. There was an iron 
band wanted to unite the Colonies — the band of the Inter- 
colonial railroad*— and that completed, the interior con- 



116 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

nected with the seaboard, the colonies would be able to 
go on hand in hand together in commercial and military 
undertakings. (Hear, hear.) Some years ago he had the 
honor of being in Montreal during the visit of His Koyal 
Highness the Prince of Wales, who would, some day — 
might that day be distant — rule over this country. Then 
he was here a stranger, and the maritime provinces were 
hardly known. It was with the utmost difficulty he could 
find so much as a newspaper from the Lower Provinces in 
the reading rooms. Now, however, he felt like belonging 
to a nation, for he thought ere long we should be a nation 
with interests no longer distinct, but one people under the 
same old time-honored flag which now floated over us. 
(Applause.) 

The Chairman gave, as the next toast — " Her Majesty's 
Canadian Ministers," which was received with great en- 
thusiasm, the Band playing "A la Claire Fontaine" 

The Hon. George E. Cartier, M.P.P., Attorney Gen- 
eral East, having been called upon, rose amidst great 
cheering. Being asked to speak in French, he said, in 
that language : I hope my French Canadian fellow 
citizens will remember that at this moment we are honor- 
ing the visit of the Delegates from the Lower Provinces, 
by all of whom the French language may not be under- 
stood. He then proceeded in English, and, after some 
complimentary allusions to the sumptuous banquet before 
them, he apologised for the absence of his chief and col- 
league, Sir E. P. Tache, and also for the absence of his 
other colleague, the Hon. John A. McDonald, Attorney 
General West, who were unable to be present. He then 
addressed himself to the subject of Confederation as fol- 
lows : — Mr. Mayor, the question which, we may say, brings 
us together this evening is of great moment. Every one 
knows that throughout the British North American Pro- 
vinces at this time people are discussing the question 
whether it is possible for the British American Provinces 
to form a strong government under a system of adminis- 
tration, which will allow all the general interests of the 
Provinces concerned to be dealt with by a general govern- 
ment, and will leave all purely local matters to a local 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 117 

government. This is the question which is agitating all 
public men, and every one taking any interest in the poli- 
tics and the welfare of British North America. I cannot 
lose sight of the fact that not quite ninety years ago there 
was a great Confederation doing all in its power, on the other 
side of the line, to carry out democratic institutions, and 
that General Washington, supported by a French General, 
was trying to induce the people of Lower Canada, (which 
was then the most populous of the Provinces on this side 
of the line,) to join the American Union in 1784 and 1785. 
What was the answer of the Canadians ? Our ancestors 
understood what democratic institutions were. (Cheers.) 
They did not respond to the address of General Washing- 
ton, though at that time the rights to which they were 
entitled had not been granted to them. Yes, they pre- 
ferred to stick to the monarchial form of government. 
(Cheers.) At this time we are trying to help the mon- 
archial elements to take deeper root in these British North 
American Provinces. I know, Mr. Mayor, that it may be 
expected from me, perhaps on account of what has fallen 
from some of the speakers, to disclose the proposals of the 
Conference at this entertainment ; but, Mr. Mayor, that 
cannot be the case. The proceedings of those who have 
taken part in these deliberations are confidential ; they 
must first be made known to our Governments, and they 
have to be made known to the Imperial Government. 
Every one must understand the delicacy of the trust repos- 
ed in us. But though I may be prevented by the confi- 
dence with which these grave matters are to be discussed 
among the gentlemen who are deputed by their respective 
Governments to deliberate on them, from stating the results 
arrived at, at all events 1 don t think I am committing 
any indiscretion if I proceed to submit them in a sort of 
hypothetical way. (Cheers, and laughter.) You have 
already heard several eloquent speeches on the subject. 
As for myself, I have no pretensions to eloquence ; I am a 
mere dry politician. I go to work when there is anything 
to be done, and I say very plainly to my friends what I 
think, perhaps sometimes too plainly, but at all events I 
am sincere. (Cheers.) I do not say this to draw your 
attention to me, for you may perhaps be disappointed, but 
if you do give me your attention, I may have something to 



118 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

tell you. (Cheers.) Now, without revealing anything, you 
all know that at this moment I happen to be in the Gov- 
ernment of Canada allied to a gentleman who for fifteen 
years has been my great opponent in Upper Canada — I 
refer to the Hon. George Brown. (Cheers.) Now, when 
a great matter of public policy came before us, though 
that gentleman and myself had been pitted against each 
other, he for Upper Canada and I for Lower Canada, yet 
we resolved to try whether we could not concur in a great 
scheme of Confederation, either of the Canadas, or of all 
the Provinces. I must say this, gentlemen, that in none 
of my most important political decisions did I ever take 
the advice of any one. (Cheers ) As a politician under 
the British system, I know that we are carried on to power 
in order to give advice to the Governor of the day ; but 
when a gentleman takes office, he ought to understand 
that a man should not be merely the reflex of public opin- 
ion, but should try to lead public opinion. (Cheers.) I 
don't mean to say that the public voice should not be 
listened to. But at the same time there are prejudices in 
the minds of the public, which, however, like unfavorable 
winds, may be turned to good account. A good pilot will 
use the wind to make the ship go in the direction he 
wishes, and in the end every one is satisfied, both the pilot 
and the crew and the passengers. Well, with regard to 
this question of Confederation, and with regard to my 
political alliance with Mr. Brown, I must say that he 
has kept faithfully to his work. I don't know what you 
have to say of me, but for my part I have such an amount 
of self-esteem that it matters not what amount of good or 
of bad you say. (Laughter.) Then, Mr. Mayor, it is 
obvious that there are general questions which might be 
subjects to be taken up by the General Government of the 
British North American Provinces. As to Lower Canada, 
I am not one of those who will not recognize that the 
union of Upper and Lower Canada has not done a great, 
deal of good. I am confident, and I have stated it on 
many occasions, that the union of Upper and Lower 
Canada has achieved wonders for the two Provinces. The 
prosperity to which we have risen under the union of the 
Provinces, encourages a still larger union, (Cheers.) I 
am not one of those who would like to see Upper and 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 119 

Lower Canada separated, and become two distinct Pro- 
vinces, and warring against each other. What would be 
the consequence of this state of things ? Montreal would 
soon be a city in a corner, for I confess that the pros- 
perity of Lower Canada is due, to a great extent, to the 
trade of Upper Canada. (Cheers.) It is well that the 
cause should be stated. As I am one of the representa- 
tives of Montreal, I tell you that I would never consent to 
any system of government under which Upper and Lower 
Canada would have a different system with respect to the 
tariff and trade of the country. (Cheers.) In fact we 
see to-day that a great part of those who were formerly 
opposed to the union of the two Canadas are now in favor 
of it. Why ? Because the Union has bestowed on the 
Province a great part of its advantages. I must repeat to 
you what I stated while in the Lower Provinces, that 
while we possessed the personal and the territorial elements 
which go to constitute a nation, we were wanting in the 
maritime element. (Cheers.) During six months of the 
year we had to knock at the door of our neighbor in order 
to carry on our trade. This cannot be tolerated. This 
Confederation must be carried out. I know that every 
citizen of Montreal will understand that at this critical 
time we should look to Nova Scotia, to New Brunswick 
and Prince Edward Island for the elements wanting in 
Canada to make a great nation. I don t mean a nation 
distinct from the mother country. (Cheers.) I wish that 
all the power granted by the mother country to the Colo- 
nies should be combined in order to make, as far as we can, 
one great nation. If we can do this, I think we shall have 
done a good deal. With regard to the General Govern- 
ment, I ^suppose that some gentlemen would like to know 
my hypothesis. Is it right that there should be a Custom 
House erected against the trade of each Colony ? No. Is 
it right that there should be a difference of currency ? Is 
it right that there should be a difference between the sys- 
tem of weights and measures ? Between the mode of 
becoming a British subject ? That there should be a 
difference in the postal service ? Is it right that there 
should be a difference in regard to the question of the de- 
fence of the country ? (No, and cheers.) Can, for in- 
stance, the Island of Prince Edward, or Nova Scotia, or 



120 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 

New Brunswick, successfully devise separate systems of 
Militia, so as to secure themselves against invasion ? No, 
they cannot. Then suppose portions of Nova Scotia, or 
New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island, were invaded 
by an American army, the question would present itself, 
shall the forces of England be transported to the invaded 
Province for its defence ? Well, we know that there is a, 
school in England which disregards the claims of colonists 
on imperial protection. I speak of the school of Mr. Bright 
and Mr. Cobden. Canada possesses better means of defence 
in men. Would this be sufficient to defend her against 
invasion ? I believe it would not. But if we should be 
united under one Government, the battle would have to be 
fought somewhere, and the forces of British North America 
would have to be brought together somewhere to meet the 
foe. In this case there could be no doubt that England 
would see that we were really in earnest, and strengthen 
our hands to the extent of her ability. I see that there is 
a great objection on the part of some to this system of 
general Government, because we had not at once a Legis- 
lative Union. But we had to take into consideration all 
the objections of the different Colonies. And if we succeed 
in presenting a scheme which will form the foundation of 
a general Government, to take charge of such general 
subjects as interest every one, shall we not have done a 
great deal ? (Cheers.) Now, I am told that in Lower 
Canada there is a great objection to the scheme, because 
it is asserted that the British inhabitants of Lower Canada 
will be at the mercy of the French majority. Certain 
prejudices are being impressed upon the minds of the 
British people of Lower Canada against the Confederation, 
because it embraced a general Government and also local 
Governments. I think the British inhabitants of Lower 
Canada should not be frightened by this argument. 
(Hear, hear.) The British inhabitants of Lower Canada 
ought to bear this in mind, that in Upper Canada the 
French Canadians will always be in a small minority. In 
that section the French Canadians will have to trust to the 
good judgment of the British majority, and is it too much 
to ask the British minority in the Lower Provinces to trust 
to the good judgment and to the justice of the French 
Canadians in the local Governments ? If, then, I have 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 121 

no objection to the local arrangement as regards Upper 
Canada, why should the British population of Lower 
Canada object to the local arrangement because they hap- 
pen to be represented according to their numbers ? I say 
this to my friends of both races, I will never consent that 
any injustice should be done either constitutionally or 
otherwise to my fellow-citizens of any religion, language or 
race. (Cheers.) In treating of the question of race with 
regard to this great Confederation, looking to England, 
you will find three distinct nationalities. Each of these 
has contributed to the glory of England. Who would 
like to take from England the glory conferred on her by 
any one of the three nationalities ? By the son of Erin or 
the Scot ? (Cheers.) I think the glory of England 
might not have been equal to what it is, if the three na- 
tionalities had not been united. Was it surprising that 
some should try to find difficulties in the way of the forma- 
tion of a Union because there happened to be different 
races and religions ? I have already spoken about the 
elements which are necessary to constitute a nation. Every 
one knows that England is great ; she has achieved a great 
deal more than any nation whose history we know. The 
Romans could not keep their colonies, because they were 
wanting in one of the elements which England possesses — 
the commercial element. Without detracting from the 
power of England, I think, when we come to analyse it we 
will find that it will not be so great, without taking into 
account her commercial power. As soon as a colony is 
conquered by the bravery of her soldiers and seamen, the 
work is taken up by her merchants, who cause the colony 
to prosper to such an extent that it is the interest of Eng- 
land to bring her army and fleet to protect it. The pros- 
perity of the two sections of Canada illustrates this fact. 
With our prosperity we are enriching the American States, 
whereas we ought to be enriching our own States. We 
ought to be enriching such harbors as St. John and Hali- 
fax. And then, with regard to Newfoundland, as had been 
stated by the Hon. Mr. Shea, Newfoundland stands at the 
bottom of the St. Lawrence, and is the key to foreign 
trade. When we are politically connected with New- 
foundland, this will afford an opening that we cannot yet 
appreciate. It may be said that by a sort of Zolverein we 



122 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

might achieve the same result as we hope to do by political 
union. That cannot be the case. If we succeed there 
will be a local Government to take cognizance of such 
matters as the civil law, regulating property, &c, which 
are local, and naturally fall within the province of local 
government. But I know that in this city and elsewhere 
it is sought to turn public opinion against us by saying 
that if you have a local government you must resort to 
direct taxation for the support of the government. This 
would never be the case, for a subsidy was to be paid by 
the general Government to each of the Local Govern- 
ments to cover their expenses, and there would be some 
small items of local revenue which would be sufficient. 
There will be, therefore, no direct taxation if the Govern- 
ment be wise and prudent. As I stated at the outset, I am 
impressed with the conviction that this Confederation 
should not be carried out if it deprives us of our connection 
with England. But I am of opinion that the scheme, if 
successful, will increase the prestige of the monarchial 
form of government. (Cheers.) 

The Hon. Dr. Tupper then rose and proposed, in a brief 
but eloquent speech — " The Mayor of Montreal and Mon- 
treal City," which was suitably responded to by His Wor- 
ship, and on his resuming his seat, there were loud calls 
for the Hon. T. D'Arcy McGee, one of the Members for 
Montreal City: 

Mr. McGee rose amidst prolonged cheering. He said 
he had no intention at that late hour and after the long 
sitting, to try anything in the shape of a speech. When 
we, he said, were down on a visit to the Lower Provinces, 
our hospitable entertainers were always pleased to hear us 
speak, and I feel that I shall best discharge my duty in 
showing myself a good host by being a good listener. 
(Cheers.) However, as one of the leading politicians and 
member of the Government had been prevented from 
attending, and as the other member for the City of Mon- 
treal — Hon. Mr. Kose — had, he perceived, withdrawn, he 
could not allow the meeting to separate without saying a 
word of welcome. They were welcome to us as fellow 
subjects long estranged, now about to be united. They 



UNION OF THE BRITISH FBOVINCES. 123 

were welcome as accomplished gentlemen, of whose powers 
his hearers had had specimens that evening. They were 
welcome as the kind hosts and entertainers in the Lower 
Provinces of many of those whom he saw around him. 
They were welcome for the work in which they had been 
engaged. (Cheers.) If you asked, wherefore this Conference 
with closed doors at Quebec, why all this mystery, why 
this assembling together of their Excellencies' advisers at 
Quebec, leaving Governors and Lieutenant Governors in 
the meantime deprived of their counsels, — if he were asked 
the reason of all this, he would give the answer in one word, 
circumspice. Look around you and you will see the rea- 
sons for the gathering. Look around you to the valley of 
Virginia, look around you to the mountains of Georgia, 
and you will find reasons as thick as blackberries. Were 
they to believe that things would go on in the future 
as they had gone in the past ? It was necessary that those 
engaged in the work should have with them, and he 
trusted they would have with them, the public opinion 
and the countenance of the people of Montreal, and of the 
people of Canada. If they had assumed, thirity-three of 
them, to go into a chamber and sketch an outline which 
was to be submitted to Her Majesty, to the Imperial Par- 
liment, and to our Parliaments, they found their justifica- 
tion in the circumstances of British North America, and 
of Kepublican North America, and in the intimation con- 
veyed to us from the most undoubted sources from the seat, 
of the Imperial Government. They had not acted in an, 
empirical spirit. They had gone there to build, if they had 
to build, in a reverent spirit, upon, the old foundation — 
(Cheers) — not a showy edifice for themselves, with a stucco 
front, and a lath and plaster continuation — (laughter) — but 
a solid foundation that would bear the tempest and the 
waves, that would stand for ages, and afford an exemplifi- 
cation of the solidity of our institutions. (Cheers.) He 
trusted that they would emulate the races from whom they 
sprung, the Norman, the Celtic, and all that went to make 
the concrete of the British Empire, the land of stable 
government, the land of old renown, where freedom in the 
broadest sense was enjoyed by all. One of the New York 
journals, friendly to us, the New York Albion, warned us 
last week not to make premature rejoicings over our sue- 



124 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES: 

cess, reminding us of the premature rejoicings over the 
laying of the Atlantic Telegraph a few years ago. He 
would take the liberty to inform that journal that we had 
not been experimenting and sounding out of our depth. 
We did not proceed so far without having a very safe 
intimation of what England's sentiments are. If we want 
explanation from England we have only to put our hand 
upon the book which contains the law of England, and as 
long as we had that explanation in our libraries we could 
always learn what they would think in England of what 
we had been doing. (Cheers.) Before he sat down he 
must express his great regret that the Delegates were 
obliged to leave us at an early hour on Monday morning. 
The next day being Sunday, would be no day for sight- 
seeing, and the preceding day was a regular damper. 
(Laughter.) The speaker proceeded to touch upon what 
the Delegates might tell their constituents upon their 
return home. They might say that we desired the Con- 
federation for the sake of self-defence, common advance- 
ment, coming into Union well dowered. They might say 
that Canada desired this Union, though at present the 
public mind was not fully alive to the advantages to be 
derived from it ; that if she goes into it, she goes into it 
for no small or selfish purposes ; that the people of Canada 
are year by year becoming more liberal and enlightened in 
their views ; that we did not speak of cutting each other's 
throats for the love of G-od ; they could say that in Canada 
religious bigotry was at a discount. He could point them 
to the place where that bigot withered upon his stock, that 
where he was held in honor no man is now so mean as to 
do him reverence. That we have not amongst us bigotry 
of classes or bigotry of race ; or the belief that no good 
could come out of Nazareth, or any religion but their own. 
That the day of these small things had passed away in 
Canada; that we respected one another's opinions, and 
had shown ourselves fit to be freemen by allowing every 
class, every sect and every creed, to manage their own af- 
fairs — (cheers) — so long as they did not trouble the peace 
and happiness of the community. He thought they might 
say all this in regard to Canada. Their limited stay would 
not permit them to see for themselves the progress that we 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 125 

had made in freedom, which gave every man the fullest 
scope for the exercise of his own rights, but he was sure 
they could say to their constituents that Canada would 
come into the Union with the view of securing the common 
prosperity and welfare. (Cheers.) 

Hon. Mr. Galt, being loudly called upon to speak, rose 
and observed that he was sure he would fail in doing jus- 
tice to the kindness with which they called upon him, were 
he to make a speech after what they had heard that evening. 
He hoped that the discussion of this public question would 
induce gentlemen to look at it in all its bearings, and that 
they would find that what was good for Canada would be 
good for the Lower Provinces, and for all sections of the 
British dominions. He was sure they would look at this 
question not in a selfish point of view, but in one which 
has regard to the benefit of all, and which would raise this 
country to a position in which it would be honored. In 
this question of Confederation it was perfectly true we 
had put our confidence in those who were associated with 
us, and who have lived with us. It is necessary that the 
French Canadians of tJpper Canada should have confi- 
dence in those with whom they have lived, and that we in 
Lower Canada should have confidence in the fair dealing 
of the French Canadian people. (Cheers.) If our insti- 
tutions have borne any fruit at all, they have borne the 
fruit of harmony. He believed we were united in one 
common movement for the benefit of both Upper and 
Lower Canada. He believed the Union would be produc- 
tive of good to both Canada and the Maritime Provinces. 
If we want an open port, we could find it in St. John or 
Halifax. He was not disclosing any secret when he said 
this, that so far as the protection of the interests of the 
people of Upper and Lower Canada was concerned, there 
was no secret to be kept — the arrangements were made in 
a way to do honor to his friend Mr. Cartier. (Cheers.) 
It was not a light thing for people to trust their prosperity 
and happiness in the future to others. But he was sure 
that a very prudent effort had been made to try and bring 
about a state of things that would rescue us from the 
troubles that threatened us. (Cheers.) 



126 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

It was now 8 p. m., the speeches having commenced 
about four o'clock, the Chairman left the Chair, and the 
meeting, broke up. 



DEPARTURE FOR, AND ARRIVAL AT, 
OTTAWA. 

The Maritime Province Delegates, accompanied by their 
lady friends, together with several of the Canadian Minis- 
ters, and many acquaintances from Quebec and Montreal- 
left the latter city on Monday morning, 31st October, by 
special train en route for Ottawa. Having travelled a 
short distance by railway, they embarked on board of a 
beautiful steamer at the first convenient landing place on 
the river Ottawa, and proceeded without delay along the 
course of that renowned and picturesque stream. Its 
charming scenery, diversified by innumerable islets resting 
gently on its tranquil bosom, were objecfs of great attrac- 
tion to the many persons on board the steamer who had 
seen them for the first time only. The frequent recur- 
rence of the small islands, as the vessel wound her devious 
way through the narrow channel, was a source of inexpres- 
sible delight to the vovagers. Although the garish beams 
of day had given place to that beautiful compromise 
between daylight and darkness which is known by the 
name of twilight, yet the soft rich landscape could be 
easily seen, and was, perhaps, more impressive at that hour 
and at that season, when the emerald glories of summer 
seem to be struggling for ascendancy over the varying tints 
of early autumn. Moore's Canadian Boat Song — inspired 
on this river more than half a century ago — recurred to 
many minds at the time described, and sweet voices were 
not wanting to blend with the gentle airs of heaven the 
melody whose burthen is — 

" Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast, 
The Rapids are near, and the daylight's past." 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 127 

Having arrived at one of the usual stopping places, named 
Carillon, where freight and passengers are received and 
landed, His Worship the Mayor of Ottawa, M. K. Dick- 
inson, Esqr., and several members of the Ottawa Keception 
Committee, came on board, to whom the Hon. Mr. Gait 
severally introduced the Delegates from the Maritime 
Provinces. About two hours more brought the whole 
party to Ottawa. It was then quite [dark, but from the 
water the scene presented in the heart of the city was 
highly interesting. It seemed to be one mass of moving 
light, which was soon found to be an immense torch light 
procession, composed of the Fire Brigade in uniform, 
together with a large body of other citizens. 

There were numerous carriages in waiting at the land- 
ing place, which conveyed the Steamer's party to KusselTs 
Hotel, escorted by the torch light procession. It was im- 
possible to estimate the number of the dense crowd which 
filled the street, but it seemed as if the whole population 
of Ottawa had turned out on the occasion, sending forth 
rapturous cheers after cheers as welcome notes to their 
guests. 

Before the crowd separated, the Hon. John A. McDon- 
ald was called for, and appeared at one of the windows of 
the Hotel, from whence he briefly addressed the assembled 
multitude, thanking them on behalf of the Government of 
Canada, and also on behalf of his friends from the Lower 
Provinces, for the very warm-hearted welcome they had 
just received. He expressed his gratification at the pros- 
pect of Ottawa soon becoming the Capital of Confederated 
British America, and briefly referred to his own exertions 
in the Legislature and Government to procure for the 
young and rising city so great a distinction. Immense 
cheering followed for some moments, in the midst of which 
Mr. McDonald retired, when — 

The Hon. Dr. Tupper appeared in one of the carriages 



128 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

in the crowd below, and addressed the assemblage for about 
fifteen minutes, referring, in the course of his eloquent 
remarks, to the stupendous importance of the work in 
which the Delegates had been engaged. He stated that it 
was their constant aim to preserve sectional and local 
interests as far as it was in their power to do so. The 
result of their labors would, he had no doubt, meet with 
much hostile criticism, but he hoped the intelligent people 
and their energetic and enterprising press would not pre- 
judge the scheme until all its details could be placed before 
them, in order to do which some unavoidable official 
forms were necessary. He then thanked the people for 
their cordial reception, and retired amidst enthusiastic 
cheers. 

On the morning of the first of November, about 10 
o'clock, His Worship the Mayor, the Hon. Mr. Skead, M.L.C., 
Mr. Scott, Mr. McGrilvray, Mr. McKinnon, Mr. S. Keefer, 
and other members of the Eeception Committee, had car- 
riages in waiting at the several Hotels where the visitors 
were located, to drive them round the City of Ottawa. 
After a short time most agreeably spent in driving through 
the several streets, which presented in every direction 
marks of great enterprise and wealth, the party embarked 
on board of one of Mr. Dickinson's steamers, and took a 
trip of two or three miles on the river below the Kideau 
Fails. The sun shone out in all its effulgence, and 
although the wind was keen and cold, still it was exhila- 
riting, and the objects worthy of note on both sides of the 
river challenged earnest admiration. The buildings to be 
dedicated to the use of the Parliament and the Govern- 
ment Offices, now nearly completed and ready for use, 
could be seen to much greater advantage on the river than 
in the city. The boat having been turned, she steamed 
to the foot of the Chaudiere Falls, penetrating the boiling 
cauldron further than ever any vessel had done before. 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 129 

The visitors having been afforded ample opportunity to ad- 
mire this marvellous work of nature, the boat again turned, 
and crossed the river to the Lower Canada side, where 
carriages were in waiting. After a short drive through 
the bush, the party arrived at the Suspension Bridge over 
the Chaudiere Falls, and thence returned to their several 
Hotels. 

At half past twelve o'clock the visitors proceeded to the 
Parliament Buildings, through the various apartments of 
which they were conducted by the Contractors and their 
friends. The Delegates warmly expressed their admiration 
at the exterior design and construction of the edifices, and 
what then promised to be the splendour of the interior 
arrangements. An hour having been spent in examining 
and passing through the several parts of the main build- 
ing, it was announced that 

THE DEJEUNER, 

for which the most extensive preparations had been made 
by the Contractors, was served in the room to be used as 
the future Picture Gallery of the Parliament Houses. 
This part of the building appeared to be nearly finished, 
and was most handsomely decorated for the occasion. The 
walls were hung with diamond shaped frames of flowers, 
in the centres of which were inserted brief inscriptions ex- 
pressive of welcome ; and the time-honored flag of England 
spread its ample folds wherever a place could be found for 
it on the walls. The decorations about the tables were of 
the most elegant description, and the viands included 
every luxury and delicacy that could be desired. About 
160 persons sat down to the several tables, and this num- 
ber included the ladies of the Delegation Party, and the 
ladies of many of the citizens of Ottawa and vicinity, 
whose presence largely contributed to the pleasure of the 
entertainment. 



130 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

There was no particular Chairman appointed for the 
occasion. The Contractors being the Hosts, divided 
amongst themselves the duties which usually fall to the lot 
of a Chairman. There were four tables arranged in the 
form of a paralellogram. At the centre of one table sat 
Mr. McGreevy, with the Hon. Mr. Tilley, of New Bruns- 
wick, on his right, and Hon. John A. Macdonald, on his 
left. At the centre of the opposite table sat Mr. Ealph 
Jones, with Hon. Col. Gray, of Prince Edward Island, on 
his right, and Mr. Eose on his left. At the third table sat 
Mr. Haycock, with Col. Gray, of New Brunswick, on his 
right, and Mr. Cauchon on his left. At the fourth table 
sat Mr. T. C. Clarke, with Dr. Tupper, of Nova Scotia, 
on his right, and Mr. Johnson, of New Brunswick, on his 
left. 

Mr. McGreevy gave the first toast — " The Queen " — 
which was received and honored with great enthusiasm, 
the Ottawa Band playing the national anthem. 

Mr. Jones next proposed, " The Governor General/' 
which was received with unbounded applause. 

After a short pause, Mr. Haycock, one of the other 
Chairmen, proposed, "The Canadian Administration," 
coupling the toast with the remark, that they were much 
better able to speak for themselves than he for them. 

The Hon. John A. Macdonald briefly returned thanks. 
[The honorable gentleman intended to have spoken at 
some length on the question of Confederation, but illness 
induced by fatigue from assiduous devotion to public 
affairs, compelled him to curtail his observations, which 
the whole company deeply regretted, as no public man in 
Canada was considered so well qualified by talent, expe- 
rience and statesmanship to speak on the question of Con- 
federation as the Honorable Attorney General for Canada 
West, His illness excited deep sympathy, and when he 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 131 

resumed his seat after the brief expression of his thanks, 
he was applauded as if he had made the most brilliant 
oration ever delivered — thus manifesting the profound 
respect entertained for him at Ottawa.] 

The Hon. Mr. Galt having expressed regret for Mr. 
Macdonald's illness, and having pronounced a high eulo- 
gium on the great and universally acknowledged ability 
of the Attorney General West — 

Mr. T. C. Clarke, one of the Chairmen, rose to propose 
the next toast. He said the pleasant duty devolved on 
him of proposing, " The Delegates from our sister Pro- 
vinces and their fair wives and daughters." On behalf of 
the people of Ottawa and of the Contractors, their hosts on 
this occasion, he tendered them a cordial and sincere wel- 
come. (Cheers.) Their only regret was that their guests 
would be with them for so short a time. He might men- 
tion one circumstance in respect of which this entertain- 
ment differed from the magnificent Dejeuner at Montreal. 
There the ladies were permitted to look down on the gen- 
tlemen from the gallery ; here they sat down with the 
gentlemen, participating in the welcome given to the 
Delegates. (Cheers.) 

The Honorable William A. Henry, Attorney General 
of Nova Scotia, replied on behalf of that Province, and said; 
" Our hosts, ladies and gentlemen — By an arrangement 
among the Delegates, the pleasing duty devolves upon me 
of responding on behalf of Nova Scotia in this city, to the 
toast which has been so handsomely proposed and enthusi- 
astically received. From the time of our first landing at 
Quebec we have been the recipients of universal kindness 
and social hospitality. We have, heretofore, had the 
pleasure of making the personal acquaintance of many of 
your public men on several previous occasions, when they 
have visited England and the Lower Provinces on occasions 
of general importance ; and we have recently had the 
pleasure of seeing many of your citizens during the excur- 
sion they made to the Maritime Colonies last summer. 
We, therefore, felt that we were not coming here amongst 
strangers, or to a terra incognita, but were coming among 
brothers, equally with us the descendants of Englishmen, 



132 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Frenchmen, Scotchmen, and Irishmen. If any thing were 
wanting to convince us of the hospitable intentions of you 
all, it would be afforded by the magnificent reception we 
last night received at your hands. ^ (Cheers.) We were, 
indeed received like conquerors, like warriors returning 
from a great victory, and indeed a great victory has been 
achieved at the Conference, whose labors have just termi- 
nated. We have triumphed over personal jealousies and 
local and party considerations, having sacrificed all these 
to the great object we had in view. (Hear.) The recep- 
tion you have given us is all the more pleasing, as it has 
taken place in Ottawa, a city selected by Her Majesty the 
Queen to be the seat of government for Canada, and in a 
building the corner-stone of which was laid by His Koyal 
Highness the Prince of Wales. I feel the extreme difficulty 
of speaking upon a subject about which a dozen speeches 
have been already made, and borne, by the enterprising 
press which has reported them, to every hamlet in this Pro- 
vince—a difficulty arising from the fear of following in the 
same paths already so well trodden by others. I have, how- 
ever, great pleasure in communicating for myself and my 
colleagues our warmest thanks to the Contractors engaged 
in the construction of these magnificent buildings, for 
the very pleasing banquet they have so liberally provided. 
It is matter for additional congratulation to see present so 
many of the leading citizens of Ottawa, for it is an earnest 
of their hearty sympathy with us in our labors, and of the 
deep interest they take in the success of the great work in 
which they are engaged. (Cheers.) The splendour of the 
entertainments we have received since we left our homes 
has abundantly convinced us of the hospitality of the peo- 
ple of Canada, and I can assure you that whenever a Cana- 
dian lands upon our shores he will at all times find the 
inhabitants of our Provinces ready to reciprocate these 
numerous acts of kindness. Were no political consequences 
immediately to flow from our present efforts, the intercom- 
munication we have had with you will not be barren of 
results, for we shall have learned to know each other bet- 
ter, and have discovered the necessity and benefit of more 
frequent intercourse. The people of Nova Scotia enter- 
tain no mean or selfish views when they propose to enter 
into a Confederation with the other colonies. They know 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 133 

that their position commands many advantages not equally 
enjoyed by the rest. They feel that their principal port, 
Halifax, is one of commanding importance. Situated as 
it is upon the most easterly peninsula of British North 
America, and of paramount importance to he retained by 
England while any portion of the West Indies remains 
connected with the British empire, it will be the last spot 
of territory on this continent to be yielded up by the 
Parent State, and will always receive even more than the 
other colonies the protection of the home government. The 
time, however, may come, and may not be far distant, 
when, with great political changes from which we cannot 
expect to be always exempt, the protection of the Parent 
State may be withdrawn, and if we wait till that unfortu- 
nate event arrives, it may be too late to form associations 
for our local defence. We feel that we may be likened to 
one of a number of rough, unhewn stones, which some 
political architect may hereafter appropriate, and if no 
measures are taken to secure to us a proper position, to 
secure that important place in a grand structure which we 
conceive to be our right, we may by accident, or the force 
of events, either occupy an elevated station or form part of 
a mere pavement, to be walked over and trampled on. 
(Applause.) We know that these colonies are made of 
the right material ; and that descendants of the country- 
men of a Wellington and a Napoleon, of a Marlborough 
and a Clyde, possess when united elements of immense 
and almost invulnerable strength for their defence, and 
will not be found unworthy of their common ancestry. It 
is not improper for me in this connection, speaking on be- 
half of Nova Scotia, leaving the interests of the other 
colonies in this respect to other gentlemen, to refer to the 
the heroes of Kars and of Lucknow, both natives of our 
Province. Having entertained for some time these general 
sentiments, the Legislature of Nova Scotia, by resolutions 
adopted last session, took measures for effecting a Legisla- 
tive union of the Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Bruns- 
wick and Prince Edward Island. Similar resolutions 
having been adopted by th« Legislatures of the two other 
Colonies, a meeting of Delegates appointed by each, took 
place at Charlottetown in September last. We would 
have gladly included your Province in our invitation to 



134 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

join our Union, but were somewhat afraid of approaching 
and attacking the giant Canada. (Laughter.) We were 
induced to limit our plans for a Union among the Lower 
Colonies. But it having been communicated to the Cana- 
dian Government that we were about to meet for the pur- 
pose mentioned, your Government sought and obtained 
admission to our preliminary Conference. Without inter- 
fering with the more local object we had in view, the 
members of the Canadian Government who attended, 
presented for our consideration more extended views of 
Union, when the consideration of the smaller scheme was 
postponed, and for the time thrown aside, with a view of 
considering a larger measure. We were subsequently 
favored by an invitation from the Canadian Government to 
meet in Conference at Quebec, to consider how far a general 
Confederation was practicable. The invitation was ac- 
cepted by all the Colonies, and the Delegates were chosen, 
not exclusively from the several governments, but were 
selected from the ranks of parties representing all classes 
and interests in the several communities, in order that all 
party prejudices and sectional feelings might be laid aside 
in the contemplation of an object of such vast importance. 
(Applause.) The importance of the matter was, indeed, 
so vast that it was not surprising my friend the Hon. John 
A. Macdonald, weakened as he was by indisposition, had 
faltered in the task, and quailed before the responsibility 
of addressing the public upon it. (Applause) Public 
men, in addressing an audience at the present time, labored 
under unusual difficulties, and felt in a manner tongue- 
tied, as a certain reticence had to be observed, even although 
the desire to obtain detailed information as to the new 
constitution was so intense. Difficulties of a grave cha- 
racter had to be surmounted. Look at the sacrifices of 
opinion we had to make at the Conference. First, each 
individual forming part of the Delegation entertained his 
own views upon every one of the infinite number of im- 
portant questions to be solved, and drawn as they were 
from different classes of opposing politicians in the several 
provinces, with the influence of party relations upon them, 
and the interest of each province clashing to a certain 
extent with those of the others, while the Delegates who 
represent them feel a natural obligation to conserve their 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 135 

interests, it required the greatest exercise of moderation and 
frequent modification of personal, party and local views 
and interests to arrive at anything like a successful issue. 
(Hear> hear.) None but those who have taken part in the 
Conference, or have deeply weighed the importance of the 
considerations involved, can have any idea of the difficult 
task of reconciling antagonistic views and interests, and 
nothing but the absorbing feeling of the importance of 
their mission and its results could have produced anything. 
like a satisfactory conclusion. I have, however, the grati- 
fication of being able to announce that although on minor 
points differences arose and were decided, each individual 
member of the Conference is fully satisfied with its general 
results, and willingly pledged to bring to a favorable ter- 
mination the result of our deliberations. I have said we 
were received like conquerors from a great, battle ; when 
such heroes are honored by the complimentary ovations of 
the friends and countrymen to whom they have returned, 
the pleasure they enjoy is invariably alloyed by sad remi- 
niscences of the sacrifices made by the fate of the brave 
comrades who have gallantly fallen beside them. The 
pleasure of the distinguished reception you have given us 
is unalloyed by any such melancholy reminiscence. None 
of our comrades have been Heft behind us on the field. 
Our victory has been a bloodless one, and although all are 
not now present, I can assure you they are all alive and in 
good fighting order, fully willing and prepared at any 
moment when necessary to buckle on their armour, and 
encounter any opposition that may arise to the ultimate 
success of the all-important object upon which we have so 
harmoniously deliberated and agreed. (Applause.) I will 
not trespass upon your time by referring to the items upon 
which the Conference deliberated, but there is one subject 
which I feel it is impossible for me to pass over. The 
time has now arrived when we ought to have direct com- 
munication between Halifax and Quebec by railway, on a 
line not subject to foreign control, so that the inhabitants 
of our country may be able to visit the inhabitants of yours, 
without the necessity of going off British territory on their 
way. I have, therefore, the pleasure to announce, as one 
of the results of the Conference, the determination to take 
immediate measures for the completion of the Intercolonial 



136 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Kail way. It is agreed to be one of the first objects of at- 
tention in the United Parliament. (Hear, hear.) It is 
impossible to over-estimate the commercial and social ad- 
vantages of that great intercolonial highway. Offering 
facilities on the one hand for the interchange of the natural 
productions of each province, and highly calculated to 
break down the barriers which perpetuate political and 
social distinctions, it will be a means to the great end we 
all have in view. It will be a glorious clay when we can 
get into a railway car at Halifax, and in three days be at 
the capital in Ottawa. (Cheers.) When the means of 
communication are provided, our people will avail them- 
selves of them, and I shall glory in the day when the in- 
habitants of my country can put their foot on Canadian 
soil and say, "this is my heritage," while the Canadians too 
can visit the Maritime Provinces and feel an interest in 
every inch of their soil. (Loud cheers.) In all unions 
there must be a compromise of feelings to a certain extent ; 
and as in the delicate union between the sexes there must 
always be a yielding of individual opinion to insure happi- 
ness, so it is in all unions, and the wider the circle and the 
greater the object, so in proportion must concessions of 
opinion be made. In contemplation of this great object 
the people of every section must be prepared to yield a 
portion of their feelings and interests to the common stock, 
and in the contemplation as well as in the working out 
of the Union this sentiment must not be forgotten. Having 
fulfilled our mission, our work may be but half done. We 
must return to our constituents, and impress them as far as 
we are able with our own views and sentiments. They 
have not seen as we have done ; they have not learned, re- 
flected and deliberated as we have, and we have still before 
us the important duty to instruct them in our views. We 
all feel proudly the position we occupy in the performance 
of that duty, and would be glad to use our best endeavours 
to procure the acceptance of "the measure. We hope and 
trust that the people to be affected by it may in their delib- 
erations forget all old party interests, private prejudices 
and local .affections, aucl that the opposite of these feelings, 
reacting in, and reflected by their several legislatures, a 
favorable issue to the appeal to be made to them will abun- 
dantly result. We hope to be able with the materials atiiand 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 137 

to raise a structure, which, bound together with the cement 
of patriotism, will be a monument of the wisdom of the 
present generation, and a tower of strength capable of re- 
sisting as well the minor effects of domestic broils as the 
attacks of the stoutest of foes from without. . We will then 
feel we have a government as free as the world can exhibit, 
resting as it must for its support upon the continued love, 
confidence and affections of a free and enlightened people, 
and under the fostering care of a gracious Queen, whose 
name is held dear in every quarter of the globe, and upon 
whose kingdom the sun never sets. (Loud applause.) 

The Hon. John M. Johnson, Attorney General of New 
Brunswick, also responded to the toast. After thanking 
the company for the manner in which the toast had been 
received, he referred to the late meeting of the Conference, 
and said the public men who composed it had been forced 
to take such action from influences both within and with- 
out. The politicians of the Lower Provinces had been led 
to meet together to bring about a legislative union of those 
Provinces, when statesmen from Canada appeared and in- 
vited the consideration of the subject of a union of all the 
Provinces. Accordingly, the Conference was held, when 
all agreed to set aside their own peculiar opinions for the 
common good, and that the advantages of union were so 
great that all minor differences on political matters should 
be sunk and forgotten. This was the way he hoped the 
people would meet the question — either declare against it 
like men, if they believed the union to be without advan- 
tage, or if they believed it would prove beneficial, to lay 
aside all questions of mere party, in order to secure it. 
He then proceeded to shew what benefits the union would 
confer upon Canada, and alluded especially to the resources 
and wealth of New Brunswick, which would be enjoyed by 
Canada in case a union of the Provinces was effected. He 
desired to see it accomplished only under the British flag, 
and that no matter in what part of the British North 
American Confederation one might be, there would only 
be heard as a national anthem the strains of " God save 
the Queen." (Cheers.) He returned thanks also on be- 
half of the ladies whom they had so kindly toasted. The 
ladies of the lower Provinces had come here in love with 



138 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

union, and those not in it were prepared to enter into it 
(Cheers and laughter.) 

The Honorable George Goles responded for Prince 
Edward Island. He said the reception given to the Dele- 
gates in this city, last night and to-day, went beyond his 
expectations. He had thought the same at Quebec, but 
on coming to Montreal and Ottawa his admiration of the . 
good-feeling and hospitality of the people of Canada had 
been still further increased. (Cheers.) He stood here in 
a different position from the gentlemen from the other 
provinces, who had just addressed them, both of whom 
were members of their respective Governments, while he 
(Mr. Coles) happened to be one of the Opposition. They 
were aware that the Oppositions of all the Provinces had 
entered into the Delegation to assist in carrying out the 
views of their respective Governments. Generally, when 
an Opposition joined in carrying out the views of Govern- 
ment, they were looked upon with suspicion by their con- 
stituents. But the present case was one which stood en- 
tirely by itself, and he claimed that in going for Federa- 
tion the Government ■of Prince Edward Island were carry- 
ing out his views — views which Tie had entertained for 
many years. (Cheers.) In former times he had found 
many opposed to his sentiments on this question. It was 
the same as in the case of a proposed matrimonial union, 
when the friends of the family are very apt to raise 
objections on the grounds of disparity in wealth, standing, 
&c, but in spite of these objections they had gone to work, 
and for the last two months— first at Charlottetown, and 
then a,t Quebec — they had been trying to draw up the 
marriage settlement — (cheers) — and he had to announce 
to them that they had succeeded in framing a marriage 
settlement, which, though in some respects not what some 
of them might have wished, he hoped would, taken as a 
whole, give satisfaction to the entire family. (Cheers.) 
The marriage ceremony had yet to be performed. When 
that took place he hoped the families thereby allied would 
not be such strangers to each other as they had been in 
the past, and that the people of Canada would more fre- 
quently visit the people of the Lower Provinces, who would 
be happy to return the Compliment. (Cheers.) Mr. Coles 



UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 139 

went on to speak of the advantages of Prince Edward 
Island as a delightful summer residence, and of its various 
resources — particularly the inexhaustible treasury it had 
in the fisheries of its waters. At present hundreds of 
thousands of pounds worth of fish were taken from their 
waters by the American fishermen. He trusted that soon 
Canada would take that fish for the consumption of her 
inhabitants, and send her fishermen to catch them. 
(Cheers.) He thought they had reason to congratulate 
themselves on the result of the labors of the Conference. 
That thirty-three men, representing the various political 
opinions of six different Provinces, could have assembled 
and so amalgamated their opinions as to agree upon a 
constitution suited for that great Confederation, was some 
thing, he believed, such as the world had never seen 
before, and shewed that the Delegates were worthy of the 
position they held. (Cheers.) He said this although 
there was no man more disappointed than himself with 
respect to some parts of that constitution, but by mutual 
concession they had arrived at a result which they could 
all agree in supporting and submitting to the people, for 
he held that it must be submitted to the people. They 
could not force it on the people ; they must endeavour to 
shew them that it was for their benefit, and thus induce 
them to accept it. (Cheers.) 

Mayor Dickinson then proposed, "The prosperity of 
British North America," and remarked that prosperity 
depended upon Union. (Cheers.) 

The Hon. A. T. Galt, Finance Minister of Canada, 
then rose and replied to the toast as follows: — Mr. 
McGreevy, ladies and gentlemen — Before attempting to 
respond to this toast, I must express the pain I feel that 
Mr. Macdonald is unable from indisposition to make the 
remarks he intended. I know the loss you have sustained 
in not hearing from our friend the exposition he had pro- 
posed to give in reference to the inter-colonial union. I feel 
it a public loss, and hope his illness will be temporary, 
and that on an early occasion in Toronto he may be able 
to offer the explanations he is unable to give to-day. 
(Hear.) It falls to my duty to respond to both toasts at 



140 UNION OF THE, BRITISH PROVINCES. 

once. I desire to thank you most cordially for the way in 
which you responded to the toast of the Canadian Admin- 
istration. We receive it, not as representing any political 
party in this Province, but as representing the Government, 
whoever they may be, who administer affair^. But on an 
occasion like this, when events of the greatest importance 
to Canada are transpiring, it is perhaps the more impor- 
tant to us to know that we have, at least for the moment, 
the cordial support of the people of the country, as we 
have a very difficult task to perform and desire to feel sure 
that there is confidence in our desire, if not in our ability, 
to do our duty to our common country. We have heard 
from the lips of eloquent gentlemen, something about the 
Confederation of the Provinces— about the object here had 
in view — which is to give to the general Government of 
the British North American Provinces that amount of 
strength necessary to attend. to commoa interests and to 
reserve to the local Legislatures the power to attend to 
sectional matters. All know that in proposing Confedera- 
tion we have not to deal with a homogeneous people, but 
we have within our borders two different races — races 
equally distinguished in war and civil attainments — and 
we are bound to attend to the interests of those of French 
as well as of English origin— both being alike to be con- 
sidered and respected. I trust that in the question soon 
to be submitted to the people of this country, it will be found 
that while on the one hand all necessary powers have been 
given to the general Government, there has been reserved, at 
thesame time, to the local Governments such control over 
their own affairs as will preclude internal agitation . (Hear. ) 
I should have been glad to have entered into the details 
of Confederation, but time will not permit, even were I 
competent. I will, therefore, rather follow the lead of those 
friends who have preceded me and say a few words res- 
pecting the general benefits we hope to receive. Whatever 
our views about Jnonarchial and democratic governments, 
all are agreed upon this-^-that the material prosperity of 
the country should be promoted. All government is de- 
signed to effect this end. It is the only means whereby in- 
tellectual and material prosperity and development may be 
brought about. I believe we are making a move in the 
right direction in Confederation, and if we give more 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 141 

strength to the monarchial element on this continent it is 
because we think that through this form of government 
we can more effectually add to the peace and happiness 
of our people. In regard to the various interests of all the 
Provinces, we cannot but feel that the different circum- 
stances in which we are all situated, the different systems of 
taxation, the different tariffs, must be detrimental to all. 
We can all appreciate the advantages that arose when the 
union in Canada took place. Those who can recall twenty 
years can remember the position in which Lower Canada 
then stood. They can recall the advantages which arose 
from the union of these provinces. It can be seen that in 
that short period — twenty years — this country has grown 
to a position in importance such as never could have been 
hoped for as long as she remained in a disunited state. 
We can feel that although there have been difficulties 
connected with the union of the two provinces, still the 
advantages that have flowed from that union have far 
outstripped all difficulties that have arisen from it. And 
in removing the difficulties of Canada, and considering the 
greater question of Confederation, we feel that in doing so 
we are not taking a step in a retrograde direction, but are 
taking it with a desire to an extension of the union. It is 
because we feel that disunited Canada was weak, united 
she became stronger; and now we ask the other Provinces 
to join us in the race of improvement and progress, and in 
extending through the whole of the British dominions in 
North America the advantages we now derive from union, 
which give us that essential power which is capable of con- 
trolling the various matters and maintaining our strength. 
At the same time we desire in this Confederation to give 
the internal management to the people themselves, the 
control of the local affairs which they are best able to 
manage. I feel I am trespassing on you in speaking at 
this late hour of the day. (Go on.) I certainly did not 
expect to be called upon on this occasion ; at the same 
time, I am glad to be allowed to say a few words on this 
subject, because there is none who have felt more strongly 
than I have done the disadvantages of Englishmen in 
Lower Canada being in a minority. It is a source of much 
happiness to me to be present on an occasion when we are 
celebrating the advent, with the Delegates from all the 



142 UNION OF THIS BRITISfl PROVINCES. 

lower Provinces, of that which is to unite us in one com- 
mon country. Since the union of the Canadas we have 
been in harmony one with another — mutual confidence has 
existed ; and when, on an occasion like this, I see here 
the representatives from all the Provinces coming forward 
to join us, I feel that it is removing farther and farther 
away from us any danger that might arise ; and by in- 
creasing the area in which our politics range we shall have 
less danger ; and whilst we shall be able to go forward in 
the race of improvement and free government, we shall be 
able to go forward hand in hand with less risk of difficulty 
occurring among ourselves. (Cheers.) With regard to 
the question of the commercial prosperity of these colonies, 
I have already said that there can be no doubt whatever 
that the union of these Provinces will tend to promote our 
prosperity. We have seen the effects of union in regard 
to matters of free trade in the United States. I know 
perfectly well that if one thing more than another has 
tended to promote the prosperity of that great country, it 
has been the free trade that has existed between its various 
parts. Now we desire to bring about that same free trade 
in our own colonies. It is almost a disgrace to us, if I 
may use the term, that under the British flag, in the 
dominions of our Sovereign in British North America, 
there should be no less than Rve or six tariffs and systems 
of taxation ; and we cannot have trade between one 
Province and another without being subjected to all the 
inconveniences which occur in a foreign country. Surely 
it is our business to remove these difficulties, and we 
ought as subjects of the Crown, whose interests are iden- 
tical, to be united. I am confident this great Union will 
tend to the promotion of all our interests ; but whilst we 
own that the commerce of our respective countries will be 
benefited by it, we must remember that the vitality and 
life of the matter is confidence. It is confidence that is 
the life of our commerce. If we remain as we are now 
we are certainly comparatively weak. Let us combine our 
strength, and bring together all the elements of colonial 
power which we possess, and for national defence as well as 
as for national improvement, let us be a united people. 
(Cheers) . I had intended, ladies and gentlemen, to have said 
0, few words more with reference to matters connected with 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 143 

the proposed Confederation, but perhaps I had better not do 
bo ; but at the same time there is a subject on which I feel 
that I may be excused if I say a few words, and that is the 
arrangements proposed with regard to the government of 
the country. (Hear.) The newspapers, which are very 
generally correctly informed on all these points, have given 
the public to understand, in general terms, what the Con- 
ference or Delegates, to a certain extent, may be said to 
have decided to recommend to their respective legislatures. 
It is, therefore, quite well known to all that the form of 
government is one which is intended to be of a Federal 
character. A Legislative Union, it is perfectly true, would 
in many respects, perhaps, have been that which we in 
Canada, having been accustomed to it in the past, would 
have desired ourselves. But at the same time, considering 
that we had not merely to consult the interests, but even 
the feelings of the people of the several Provinces, it be- 
comes very evident that it is not practicable to carry out 
a Legislative Union, and therefore it is proposed that the 
Union of the Provinces should partake of the federal rather 
than the legislative character. In that view a question 
has suggested itself to the minds of the people of Ottawa, 
that in reference to the buildings in which we are now so 
pleasantly occupied, there might perhaps be some change 
of policy. (Hear.) I think I may be forgiven if I say a 
word on that subject. I think that you and those who 
with us have to-day been permitted an opportunity of see- 
ing the magnificent buildings erected in Ottawa must be 
gratified to know that in the decision the Conference has 
come to, that Ottawa is to be the Seat of Government, we 
are only doing that which every preparation was made for. 
(Cheers.) Ottawa, it is well known, has been selected by 
Her Majesty the Queen as the seat of Government for 
Canada, and one that can readily understand that when the 
other Provinces join with Canada, if it is our good fortune 
to have the measure carried, the question would arise as 
to where the future seat of Government would be ; and in 
regard to that matter, I have the satisfaction of repeating 
this afternoon the statement which my friend Attorney 
General Macdonald made last night, and referred to also 
by my friend Dr. Tupper, that Ottawa has been selected 
by the Conference as the seat of Government for the Con- 



SJ44 UNION" OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

federation. (Loud cheers.) That selection has not been 
made without some reference to the future. It is true that 
Confederation has at this moment in .view the annexation, 
if I may use such a term, of the Maritime Provinces, but 
we cannot fail to see that in the great West there is a vast 
territory which must, at some time hereafter, be united to 
these Provinces ; and in view of this extension to the West, 
we cannot fail to perceive that Ottawa, while it possesses 
all the elements for the seat of Government that made it 
to be chosen by our Sovereign the capital of Canada, pos- 
sesses also that security and accommodation necessary to 
make it the capital of British North America. (Loud 
cheers.) Therefore, while our friends in Ottawa are most 
anxious to have us here, I am quite certain our reception 
this afternoon by our respected hosts must increase our 
anxiety to come up. (Cheers.) Still, I can only say this 
— that it depends entirely upon yourselves when we shall 
get here. You have here in Mr. McGreevy and his co- 
contractors the gentlemen who are in the way. If you 
can only get them to finish the buildings we willconie 
here to-morrow. (Cheers.) I know there is reason for 
delay in this respect, and one can see for himself there are 
a great many difficulties. There are heating apparatus, 
ventilating apparatus, roofing, and things of that kind yet 
to be done, but I think that within a very short period my 
friend Mr. McGreevy ought to be ready to allow us to 
come here. We would be only too glad to come ; and I 
am quite sure from the hospitality we have received we 
need not have the least hesitation in placing ourselves in 
the hands of the- people of Ottawa. (Cheers.) With your 
permission, Sir, I would like to propose a toast. When 
we cease to enjoy the hospitality we are now receiving, 
I believe we are going to receive that of the city of 
Ottawa. I therefore hope you will allow me to propose 
the health of the Mayor and Corporation of Ottawa. 

The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm. 

Mayor Dickinson responded. He begged on behalf of 
the citizens of Ottawa to return his most sincere thanks 
for the manner in which the toast had been proposed by 
the Finance Minister, and responded to by the company 
present. The occasion which had brought them together 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 145 

was one of no little importance, not merely to those within 
the sound of his voice, but to their children's children, 
whose interests were deeply involved in the result of the 
deliberations of the delegates who were now with them. 
In his official position it was, perhaps, out of his province 
to enter into political matters, but he might say, in his in- 
dividual capacity, and he believed he might also say on 
behalf of his constituents in the city of Ottawa, that should 
the final result of the proposed amalgamation of these 
Provinces be as pleasurable to all concerned as this first 
opportunity of social association with their brothers and 
fair sisters of the other Provinces had been to the citizens 
of Ottawa, it would, indeed, be most satisfactory in its 
character. (Cheers.) 

Colonel Gray, of Prince Edward Island, asked the 
company to fill their glasses. It was not his intention to 
detain them with a speech, as he saw that their fair com- 
panions were already looking forward with agreeable anti- 
cipation to a more congenial task — one better suited to 
their capacities, although he would not say to their under- 
standings. (Cheers.) The delegates had come to this 
city as strangers, and it was now his duty, as Chairman 
of the Convention of the Maritime Provinces, to ask them 
to join in drinking a bumper to the health of their hospi- 
table entertainers. (Cheers.) They had been much de- 
lighted to-day with what they had seen. Nature and art 
had combined to render this fair city peculiarly attractive, 
and as regarded this superb structure in which they were 
now assembled, and which not only rivalled the Tuileries 
of Paris, but in his opinion, even the Houses of Parliament 
on the Thames — (cheers) — they all agreed that it was but 
a fit and proper building for the purpose to which it was 
to be devoted: — one in which should sit the representatives 
of a free people, who soon would have their territory 
washed by the Atlantic at Halifax and by the Pacific at 
Vancouver Island. (Cheers.) It needed no prophet to 
foretell that the day was coming when they would take 
their places among the first nations of the world. (Cheers.) 
He asked them to join in drinking the health of their 
worthy hosts the Contractors for these public buildings. 
(Cheers.) 

12 



146 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES* 

Mr. Clarke briefly responded. 

The party then separated, it being about half-past five 
o'clock, to prepare for the festivities of the evening. 



BALL AT OTTAWA. 

On the evening of the same day a Ball was given to the 
Delegates, under the auspices of the City Authorities, at 
the British Hotel. The assemblage was not so large as 
were the like reunions in Quebec and Montreal ; but 
all the appointments were of the most elegant descrip- 
tion, evincing unbounded liberality on the part of the pro- 
moters of the entertainment ; while the decorations of the 
Ball Eoom surpassed those witnessed at the other places- 
Mr. Dickinson, the worthy and popular Mayor of the City, 
together with the whole Committee of Management, were 
most assiduous in their attentions to their guests, and 
succeeded in making the entertainment one that that will 
be long remembered with feelings of the liveliest gratitude 
and pleasure. 



DEPAKTUKE FOB TOKONTO. 

RECEPTION AT KINGSTON, BELLEVILLE AND COBURG. 

The Delegation party having engaged to be in Toronto 
on the evening of the 2d November, left Ottawa on that 
morning at nine o'clock, by a special train of the Ottawa 
and Prescott Bailway. A rapid and agreeable drive of two 
hours brought the party to Prescott, where they were 
transferred to a special train of the Grand Trunk Bailway, 
then in readiness for them. After a warm hearted fare- 
well to some of their friends from Quebec, Montreal and 
Ottawa, who had accompanied them thus far, the special 
train hurried the delegation party on their way to Kingston, 



tTNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 147 

without waiting ta stop at most of the intermediate 
stations. 

The train arrived at the Kingston station at two o'clock. 
There an excellent dinner was prepared for the party by 
direction of Mr. Brydges, the Managing Director of the 
Grand Trunk Kailway. The party were precluded by 
their engagements from spending much time over the 
sumptuous festivity ; but the Delegates from the Maritime 
Provinces felt that they were deeply indebted to Mr. 
Brydges, not only for his hospitable entertainment then, 
but for the many other manifestations of his generous 
spirit while travelling with him on the Grand Trunk 
Railway, and the Hon Dr. Tupper, of Nova Scotia, became 
the exponent of the feelings of his co-delegates, by pro- 
posing Mr. Brydges' health at the Kingston dinner. He 



Since we left the shores of the Atlantic Provinces we 
have had the pleasure of drinking many toasts, but I am 
sure that on no occasion of the kind has any toast been 
offered which could be drunk with greater pleasure or 
enthusiasm than that which I am now about to propose for 
your acceptance. I give you "The health of Mr. Brydges.'' 
(^Cheers.) No one in Canada has had an opportunity of 
contributing more to our enjoyment. Madame de Stael 
used to class travelling among the evils of life, but I am 
sure that if she had the opportunity of travelling with our 
friend she would have classed it among the pleasures. 
(Cheers ) I see I have but to mention the name of Mr. 
Brydges to secure a cordial response. The great company 
of which he is the representative in this country, has 
accomplished to a great extent that which it has been the 
object of the Maritime Provinces to bring about — that is, 
union, and I trust the iron band which connects Upper 
and Lower Canada, and contributes so much to the pros- 
perity of both, will be extended at an early day to Halifax, 
on the Atlantic coast, so that with the same speed and 
comfort with which we have travelled to-day, we may 
travel all the way from the Atlantic Provinces to the great 



148 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

lakes. (Cheers.) I can only hope that the gentleman to 
whom, at no distant day, will be entrusted the Government 
of all British America, will exhibit the same administra- 
tive ability that Mr, Brydges displays in his management 
of the Grand Trunk Kailway, for he would then raise the 
condition of the whole country to that which it must be 
our, and our sons', ambition to see it occupy, I propose 
the health of Mr. Brydges, who has so handsomely contri- 
buted to our enjoyment. (Cheers.) 

Mr. Brydges, on rising to respond, was received with 
renewed cheers. He said — I assure you, I have been taken 
entirely by surprise, but I beg sincerely to thank Dr. 
Tupper for the very handsome manner in which he has 
been pleased to propose my health, and you, ladies and 
gentlemen, for the kindness with which you have received 
the toast. In anything I have been able to do to promote 
the comfort and convenience of the ladies and gentlemen 
who have visited Canada from the Lower Provinces, I have 
simply discharged a duty, and I assure you it has been an. 
exceedingly pleasant one. There is no question which has 
more engaged my attention, connected as I am with one 
of the leading institutions of the country, or elicited a more 
zealous disposition to promote it, than to see these great 
Provinces united into one consolidated whole, and a means 
of closer intercommunication established between them, so 
that in future days there may be many and various oppor- 
tunities of meeting each other afforded the inhabitants of 
the different Provinces. (Cheers.) I am sure you will 
not expect me to make a speech to-day, especially as the 
time has nearly arrived when we must depart. But I 
assure y©u I shall ever appreciate, to the highest possible 
extent, the warmth with which you have been pleased to 
acknowledge any little kindness I have been able to shew 
you. I can only regret that it has not been in my power 
to make you more comfortable. I would only further say 
that I trust the day is not far distant when I shall be able 
to realize the hope which I formed when first connected 
with the Grand Trunk Bail way, and that is. that I may 
start some morning from Sarnia on the western confines 
of our Province, and find my way without change of cars 
to the shores of the Atlantic at Halifax. (Cheers.) 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 149 

The party then returned to the cars and were soon 
again in motion westward. 

The train arrived at Belleville at a quarter to five o'clock. 
The Delegates had been apprised by telegraph that an 
address would be presented to them by the Mayor of the 
town, Dr. Holden, on behalf of his constituents ; and they 
therefore expected that there would be a gathering at the 
station. They did not, however, anticipate such a hearty 
reception as they received. A large number of the inha- 
bitants, ladies and gentlemen, were assembled upon the 
platform to greet the Delegates, and the 15th battalion 
Hastings Militia and Belleville Rifle Company, No. 1, were 
present as a guard of honor to receive them. As the train 
approached, it was hailed with loud cheers and waving of 
handkerchiefs by the fair ones of Belleville. The Delegates 
were then conducted to a dias that had been erected for 
the occasion, where the Mayor welcomed them in the name 
of the people of the town. As the Delegates walked from 
the dias, the Volunteers and Militia, neatly uniformed in 
green and red respectively, " presented arms," and the Band 
of the Battalion struck up a welcome strain. The Bat- 
talion was under the command of Col. Campbell, and the 
Rifles under command of Ensign Bowles. Upon the dias, 
introductions being over, the Mayor read the following 
address to Col. Gray of Prince Edward Island, as repre- 
senting the Delegates: 

To Col. the Hon. J. H. Gray, Chairman, and the Con- 
vention of Delegates from the Maritime Provinces : 

Honorable Gentlemen — 

On behalf of the inhabitants of the town, and in common, 
we believe, with the whole of the inhabitants of the Pro- 
vince, the Mayor and Corporation of Belleville desire most 
heartily and cordially to welcome you on the occasion of 
your tour through Canada, after, we trust, the successful 
completion of the labors of the Conference at Quebec. 



150 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

We shall hail with pride and satisfaction a union of the 
most intimate kind with our fellow colonists of the noble 
Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland 
and Prince Edward Island, and we feel convinced that the 
commercial effects of such a union will contribute much to 
our prosperity, as it will, we trust, contribute much to the 
prosperity of the Lower Provinces, and at the same time 
afford a large field for emigration from the mother country. 
It is most gratifying to us to learn that the wise and patri- 
otic counsels of the eminent statesmen of the Convention, 
as well as our own eminent and political leaders, assembled 
together at the Conference, have smoothed the difficulties 
that might naturally have been expected to arise in settling 
the preliminaries of the union. 

In strengthening the relations which bind us as fellow- 
colonists, we are convinced that our inalienable rights as 
British subjects will suffer no diminution, that our fealty 
to our sovereign will remain without change, and that we 
shall ever remain an integral portion of the great British 
Empire, vieing only with the other parts thereof in loyalty 
and devotion to our common Sovereign. 

We regret very much that the time at your disposal 
prevents us from having the pleasure of receiving you in a 
manner more befitting the high positions you hold in your 
several Provinces, and more worthy of the greatness of the 
occasion upon which you assembled to deliberate. 

We trust that the remainder of your tour may afford 
you much pleasure and gratification. 

On behalf of the Corporation of the town of Belleville, 

K. Holden. 
Col. Gray replied as follows : — 

Mr. Mayor,— On behalf of the Delegates from the 
Maritime Provinces, I have to express to you our extreme 
gratification and our most hearty thanks for your hand- 
some reception of us. 

Ever since our first entry on the confines of Canada, we 
have been the recipients of so much that is kind that we 
have become habituated to the returning of thanks. I 
need not assure you that we firmly believe the object of 
our mission will tend to unite us in bonds of brotherhood 
which shall never be severed ; and I would say, woe be to 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 151 

him who shall ever attempt to rend these bonds asunder. 
(Cheers.) When I look around, Mr. Mayor, and see the 
stalwart forms of the noble looking men who stand now 
before us, I see the nucleus of a force which, should the 
hour of need arise — though I trust that hour may be far 
distant — will not have to look long for the strong right 
arms of their brethren in the Maritime Provinces to hasten 
to their aid, to assist in repelling any assault that may be 
made by any foe upon your rights and liberties. (Cheers.) 
Necessity impels us to travel onwards. Otherwise we 
should have been glad to have given, if but an hour, to 
walk round to see your fair town and this portion of your 
fine country, which is now doubly interesting to us, and 
will ever have our deepest sympathy and interest, particu- 
larly on account of your proximity to the great Eepublic 
on your borders. (Cheers.) 

The Delegates having been invited to partake of a glass 
of champagne — 

Col. Gray proposed a bumper to "the Mayor and 
Corporation of Belleville." 

The toast was drunk with all the honors. 

Cheers were proposed and most heartily given for the 
" The Delegates," and for " the Canadian Administration/' 
and the Delegates having again got on board, a parting 
salute was fired, and the train moved off amidst the cheers 
of the assemblage. 

At the Colborne station^ a number of persons were 
assembled, who warmly cheered the Delegates as the train 
slowly passed the station. 

At Coburg, which was reached at half-past six o'clock. 
His Worship Mayor Daintry and the Town Council were 
present to receive the visitors. Among other gentlemen 
present were the Hon. A. Burnham, Hon. G. S. Boulton, 
Dr. Beatty, Professor Kingston Judge Boswell, Hon. 
James Cockburn, Mr. Barrow, Head Master Grammar 
School, and the Very Kev. Archdeacon Bethune. 

Mayor Daintry read the following address : — 



152 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

To the Honorable the Delegates from the Maritime Pro- 
vinces of British North America. 

We, the Mayor and Town Councillors of the Town of 
Coburg, respectfully beg leave to avail ourselves of this 
opportunity of giving you a hearty welcome, and we regret 
that the demands on your valuable time will not admit of 
your passing a longer period amongst us. 

We recur with pleasure to the recollection of the un- 
bounded hospitalities extended to the Canadian visitors to 
the Maritime Provinces in August last, and had an oppor^ 
tunity been afforded us of reciprocating them in a more 
suitable manner, we should gladly have embraced it. The 
mission on which you are engaged has our cordial concur- 
rence, and we trust that nothing may transpire to prevent 
our becoming intimately connected with you both com- 
mercially and politically. We look forward with great 
satisfaction to the time when a band of iron, as well as the 
ties of brotherhood, shall unite us in one common country, 
and we feel sure that should our vast territories be at any 
time invaded, you will stand shoulder to shoulder with us 
in defence of the empire of British America. 

Wishing you a prosperous journey and a safe return to 
the bosoms of your families, and hoping that when we next 
meet it will be as the happy inhabitants of a united country, 
we beg respectfully to bid you farewell. 

G-. S. Daintry. 

Col. Gray, of Prince Edward Island, addressing the 
Mayor and Corporation, said — As Chairman of the Con- 
vention of Maritime Delegates, I have to return you our 
sincere, united and cordial thanks for this very handsome 
testimonial of your approbation of our work. I have to 
repeat to you what I said a little while ago to the Mayor and 
Corporation of Belleville, that, since we first entered upon 
the soil of Canada, the reception we have met with has 
been such as cannot fail to have the effect of uniting us 
still more closely in the ties of brotherhood. As regards 
our proceedings in Conference, although to a certain extent 
confidential, enough has been made known through the 
press to satisfy you that the enterprise in which we have 
been engaged has for its object to unite us indissolubly as 
a band of brothers. (Cheers.) And I need not say to you, 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 153 

on behalf of the Maritime Provinces, that, should the hour 
of danger ever come — though we trust that it is far distant 
— you will find us ready to stand shoulder to shoulder 
with you to repel any aggressor. (Cheers.) When the 
Confederation is carried out, we will have a territory ex- 
tending across the continent from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific, and I doubt not will be able to maintain ourselves 
as a nation among the proudest on the face of the earth. 
(Cheers.) I think we must all admit that the hand of a far 
greater power than that of ourselves has been directing our 
labors. He who controls all events, I have no doubt, con- 
trolled those apparently fortuitous circumstances out of 
which sprung the holding of this Convention. (Hear, 
hear.) Who would have ventured to fortell, a twelve- 
month ago, that so soon thirty- three representatives of the 
-different Provinces, then separated by so many local pre- 
judices and interests, should have met together, and agreed 
with such singular unanimity on a plan of uniting these 
Provinces? (Cheers.) We are proud of having been 
received as we have been in this Province, and shall carry 
home to our respective peoples most grateful recollections 
of the kindness with which we have been treated by our 
Canadian brethren. (Cheers.) 

The Delegates having spent an hour most agreeably 
under the hospitable roof of the Hon. Mr. Cockburn, the 
Solicitor General of Canada West, where an excellent 
supper was prepared for them, they returned to the train, 
a torchlight procession of the Coburg Firemen and a 
band of Music accompanying them. At the Coburg 
Station, the Mayor of Toronto, and several of the other 
civic dignitaries of that place, were in waiting to receive 
and welcome the Delegates on their way to Toronto. 

The party arrived at the Toronto Station about half- 
past ten o'clock, where an immense concourse of people 
were assembled, including all the members of the Corpo- 
ration of the City of Toronto, the Yorkville Corporation, 
the Corporation of the United Counties of York and Peel, 
and all the members of both branches of the Legislature 



154 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

residing in Toronto. The Volunteers and the Fire Brigade 
of the City had turned out in full force, the latter body 
bearing torchlights, and presenting a most imposing ap- 
pearance in the midst of the immense crowd by whom 
they were encircled. 

Before leaving the Kailway Station, the Mayor of the 
City, surrounded by his brother officers of the Corpo- 
ration, came before the Delegates and read the following 
address : — 

To the Delegates from the Provinces of New Brunswick, 
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New- 
foundland : 

Gentlemen, — We, the Mayor, Aldermen and Common 
Councilmen of the City of Toronto, most cordially bid you 
welcome to the metropolis of Upper Canada, and beg to 
express our warmest sympathy with the patriotic object 
which brings you hither. We doubt not that the contem- 
plated Federation of the Provinces will tend to promote 
their prosperity, happiness and security, and that thereby 
they will become a great British American brotherhood, 
united by the ties of nationality, mutual safety, and cordial 
good will. 

Whilst regretting exceedingly that circumstances ren- 
der your sojourn in Toronto so brief, we trust your visit 
may prove a pleasant one to you and to the ladies who 
accompany you and honor us with their presence on this 
occasion ; that it shall be the means of fostering a more 
intimate acquaintance, and securing closer intercourse 
between Canada and the Eastern Provinces, and that all 
parties shall be thereby better prepared for a more perma- 
nent Union — a Union from which we anticipate a long 
and prosperous career under the protecting aegis of the 
British Crown. 

F. H. Medcalf, Mayor. 

November 2, 1864. 

Colonel Gray, of Prince Edward Island, then replied 
as follows : — 



UNION or THE BRITISH WtOTOTCES. 155 

To His Worship the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonality 

of the City of Toronto. 

Gentlemen, — We, the Delegates from the Eastern 
Provinces, with much gratification accept the cordial wel- 
come you have tendered us, and thank you sincerely for 
the deep interest expressed in the object of our mission. 

We agree with you that the Federation of British 
America will largely promote the happiness and prosperity 
of this portion of the empire, and unite us in indissoluble 
ties of common brotherhood. 

We regret that our visit to your city must necessarily 
be brief, but the acquaintances we hope to form will, we 
trust, tend to prepare us for that permanent union and 
prosperity which can but be secured by the guardianship 
and protection of the British Crown. 

During the reading of the reply the assemblage cheered 
approvingly. 

The Delegates were then conducted to the carriages 
which had been provided for them, and a move was made 
for the Queen's Hotel, amid a blaze of torchlight, firing of 
rockets and strains of music, three or four Brass Bands 
being in attendance. 

Soon after entering the Hotel, some of the Delegates 
made their appearance on the balcony of the west wing 
accompanied by the Hon. George Brown. The large 
crowd beneath were then addressed by Dr. Tupper, Mr. 
Tilley, Mr. Whelan and Mr. Brown. Dr. Tupper spoke 
at some length, dwelling upon what the Conference at 
Quebec had done, in a general way, and pointing out the 
advantages of Union, commercially and financially. Mr. 
Tilley spoke briefly, stating what the Maritime Pro- 
vinces would bring to the Confederation; and Mr. 
Whelan referred to the proposed Union from a national 
stand point, alluding to its probable beneficial influence 
in moulding the character and destinies of the several com- 
munities to be embraced by it, while they enjoyed the 
alliance and protection of Great Britain. 



156 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

The crowd shortly after dispersed in excellent order,. 
cheering right heartily in token of welcome to their 
visitors 

On the morning of the third November, the Delegates 
were invited by the Eeception Committee at Toronto to 
visit some of the great public institutions of that city, and 
shortly after ten o'clock they left the Queen's Hotel for 
that purpose. Their first visit was to the College of, 
Upper Canada. As they drove up the carriage way lead- 
ing to this institution, the College students were ranged 
on each side, all having Enfield rifles, which they carried 
at the " present." There were not less than two hundred 
students thus in attendance ; they were all dressed with 
remarkable neatness and uniformity, and had a fine healthy 
appearance. The Delegates were received at the entrance 
of the College by the Principal and Professors of the in- 
stitution, and they proceeded at once to the public hall, 
where there was a large assemblage of the principal inha- 
bitants of Toronto, including many of its fair daughters. 
The students occupied the galleries, and received the 
Delegates with the most enthusiastic cheering as they 
entered the hall. When this enthusiasm subsided, Mr. 
Principal Cockburn read the following address : 

To the Hon. Gentlemen and Gentlemen, Delegates from 
the Maritime Provinces : 

We, the Principal and Masters of Upper Canada 
College, beg to hail your visit to this part of Her Ma- 
jesty's dominions as an event of high importanoe to 
the empire of which we form a part, and as likely to 
influence the history of the world. As a College we take 
no direct part in politics, but we cannot deny ourselves 
the pleasure of congratulating you on the prospect of re- 
uniting the scattered bands of Englishmen who have 
settled in the different parts of British America, and who 
have hitherto been, to some extent, socially severed, 
though occupying regions not far apart. It has been our 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 157 

pleasing duty and pride, as a corporation, to educate 
upwards of 3,000 youth, coming from the Red River and 
Newfoundland on the one hand, and from the far North 
to the West Indies on the other. Anything, therefore, 
that tends to unite these Provinces — and your visit cannot 
fail to have this effect — must at the same time extend the 
fame and influence of this " Ancient Seat of Learning." 

On these walls are recorded the names of those who, 
having won academic laurels, have gone forth to the battle 
of life strong in loyalty and attachment to the institutions 
of our father-land Our alumni are wont to he found in 
the various fields of usefulness, in the Legislature of this 
country, as well as in the learned professions, and in the 
army and navy of the British Empire. 

Gathered together from the various provinces in the 
proposed federation, our students cannot fail to acquire a 
better knowledge of each other, and thus aid in drawing 
closer the social tie which will render this young and pros- 
pering Empire an harmonious whole — a child not unwor- 
thy of its mighty parent. 

We again give you a hearty welcome, and wish you all 
success and prosperity in your noble mission. 
We are, 

Hon. gentlemen, 

G. R. R. Cockburn, M.A., Principal. 

William Webb, M.A. 

J. Brown, M.A. 

J. Connon, LL.D. 

M. Barrett, M.A., M.D. 

J. Maitland, B.A. 

C. J. Thompson. 

E. Schluter. 

Col. Gray, of Prince Edward Island, received the 
address on behalf of the Delegates, and in doing so said 
a few words in reply. He said it gave the Delegates 
great pleasure, indeed, to receive such an address from an 
educational institution of such long and honorable standing 
as the Upper Canada College. He trusted that when the 
proposed band of brotherhood was completed and all their 
Colonies were united in one, the educational institutions 
of the country would receive that share of prosperity 



158 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

which he sincerely hoped all branches of internal progress 
and improvement would receive. As soon as the great 
scheme was carried out and fulfilled, they would see a 
change in the affairs of British North America which it 
was almost impossible at present to conceive. A tide of 
emigration would flow in upon us, our vast tracts of wild 
lands would be opened up, and the free sons of free Britain 
would here make homes for themselves amongst a people 
of whom they know so little. In looking upon the boys 
assembled before him, he could not help thinking that 
amongst them there were some who, at a future day, would 
be the statesmen of the great country that is now being 
formed, and who would have the pleasure of reaping the 
great benefits of Federation long after the originators of 
the scheme had passed away. He would long remember 
this day with pleasure, and concluded by hoping that the 
institution would continue to meet with that prosperity 
which has so long marked it. 

Three cheers were then given for the Queen, and three 
for the Delegates, after which the party returned to the 
carriages. On going away they again passed through the 
lines of the College boys, who gave them a parting cheer 
as they passed through the gate. 

The Delegation party next visited Osgoode Hall — a very 
splendid edifice, not surpassed by any other in the Colonies 
erected for similar purposes — being chiefly occupied by 
the Law Courts and the various chambers connected with 
them. The party was received at the entrance of the 
building by the President and members of the Law So- 
ciety, who cordially welcomed them and showed them 
through the numerous and splendid apartments. 

The next place visited was the University, which was 
justly regarded as one of the most interesting institutions 
in Toronto. The Delegation party were here again cordi- 
ally received and welcomed by the officers of the institu- 
tion in their official robes, at the entrance to the main 
hall ; and the whole party at once proceeded to the Convo- 
cation Hall, where a large concourse of the citizens of 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 159 

Toronto were assembled. The students, ranged on both 
sides of the Hall, and dressed in their College robes, re- 
ceived the visitors with the most enthusiastic cheering. 
The Delegates having been conducted to a platform at 
the head of the Hall, were introduced to the several Pro- 
fessors, on whose behalf, and on behalf of the institution, 
the Keverend Dr. McCaul, the very distinguished President 
of the University, delivered an oral address, with a tone 
and dignity that added very much interest to the chaste 
and beautiful language which composed the address. The 
Toronto papers furnished a report of the speeches delivered 
on the occasion of the reception of the Delegates in that 
City, but it is to be regretted that justice was not done to 
the brilliant utterances of Dr. McCaul, or to the sensible 
and well-timed response of the Hon. Dr. Tupper, who, on 
this occasion, represented the Maritime Delegates. The 
following is, however, the only report of the addresses 
which we have been able to obtain : — 

The Kev. Dr. McCaul said — On behalf of the professors 
and others connected with the University, he received and 
welcomed the Delegates from the Maritime Provinces and 
the ladies accompanying them. Under any circumstances, 
he said, he would be happy to receive so many talented 
and distinguished gentlemen, representing the several pro- 
vinces to the east of Canada, but on the present occasion 
it was with more than ordinary pleasure that he greeted 
them, as in their presence there he recognised a realiza- 
tion of the great principle of the federation of the British 
North American colonies, by which those children of one 
great parent would be bound together for mutual advance- 
ment, prosperity, and strength. These colonies had justly 
been called the brightest gems in the British Crown, and 
in carrying out the principle of federation it was not pro- 
posed to remove those gems, but to re-set them in one 
brilliant cluster, which would shine with increased lustre, 
and add new beauties and splendour to the glorious diadem 
of the British Isles. (Loud cheers.) 



160 tTNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

The Son. Dr. Tupper then stepped forward, and on 
behalf of the Delegates thanked the professors and stu- 
dents or" the College for their hearty welcome. He said 
the President had rightly interpreted the intentions of the 
Delegates in saying it was not their purpose to sever these 
Colonies frvom the British Empire in joining them into 
one country ; but that, as by that scheme they hoped to 
benefit this country, they also hoped to add new strength, 
and power, an d glory to the old parent wh,o had reared 
them. It was to encourage emigration, to give prosperity 
and importance to themselves, that they joined each other, 
and also to encourage and establish such institutions as 
the one they were then in, in which the youth of Canada 
have the great and inestimable privilege of receiving an 
education which will prepare them, not only for a profes- 
sional or commerial life, but also enable them to take an 
active part in the political affairs of their country. He 
hoped that the institution would continue to prosper, and 
that when the federation scheme was carried out, they 
would have the pleasure of ranking the University of To- 
ronto amongst the leading institutions of the united coun- 
try. After again thanking them he retired amidst loud 
applause. 

The Delegates were then conducted from the Convoca- 
tion Hall, and were shown through the principal apart- 
ments of the establishment, including the extensive Li- 
brary, the very splendid Museum and the Observatory, in 
all of which their admiration was constantly awakened by 
the innumerable evidences of taste, intellect and wealth. 

The Normal School next claimed attention, and although 
the Delegation party found the buildings which are used 
for the Normal School not so attractive in architectural 
construction as the University, the interior arrangements 
and objects of interest were of a more diversified character, 
and attracted much longer observation. Dr. Kyerson, 
the Chief Superintendent of Education, so long and favor- 
ably known throughout America for his zeal and efficiency 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 161 

in discharging the noble duties of his office, was assiduous 
in his efforts to shew every attention to his visitors ; and 
in this respect he was most ably assisted by his distinguish- 
ed coadjutors in the institution. No part of the great 
establishment was left unexamined,— ^the rooms used for 
the scientific apparatus, (which is of the most extensive 
and costly description, and all the fruits of Canadian skill 
and science) — the Museum — the Rooms dedicated to Paint- 
ing and Statuary — were all noticed with admiration and 
delight ; and the more ardent admirers of the Fine Arts 
were evidently reluctant to hasten their departure from 
the apartments dedicated to the service of those arts. 



THE BANQUET AT TORONTO. 

The Delegates having returned to the Queen's Hotel, 
prepared at once for the Banquet or Dejeuner which was 
designed in honor of them at the Music Hall. Two o'clock 
was the hour appointed, and punctually at that hour the 
party began to assemble. The Hall was splendidly decor- 
ated. Amongst the decorations was a fine portrait of the 
Queen — besides two or three luminous gas stars ; and 
mottoes representing the several Provinces. The com- 
pany was very large, occupying, and, indeed, crowding in 
some places, seven long tables. The viands and all the 
other accompaniments of a sumptuous repast were of the 
choicest kind, and formed, at the time, the subject of 
many compliments to the Committee of Management. 
His Worship the Mayor, F. H. Medcalf, Esq., presided, 
and discharged the duties of his important trust with little 
garrulousness and excellent taste. 

Having given the usual loyal toasts in reference to the 
Royal Family and the Governor General, the Chairman 
proposed the " Army, Navy and Volunteers/' In doing 
so, he said : — 

13 



162 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

If there were not a number of eloquent gentlemen to 
follow me, I certainly would be tempted to make a 
speech on the subject. It is a toast we always hear drank 
on social occasions. Visions of true greatness rise before 
me as I stand in your presence, thinking of scenes from 
Cressy to Waterloo — from Blenheim to Balaklava, 
(Cheers.) And not only are great names associated with 
the military — names equally great are connected with the 
navy. I call to mind those of Howe, Jervis and Nelson. 
There is still another branch of the united service — the 
Volunteers of Canada, form a part of the toast. (Loud ap- 
plause.) They are mentioned last, but I know they are 
not least ; for if the occasion required it, I am sure they 
would be found in the foremost ranks to oppose the com- 
mon foe, and prove that they are worthy sons of noble 
sires. Without further trenching on the time of the dis- 
tinguished gentlemen who are to follow, I now give you 
" The Army, Navy and Volunteers." (Cheers.) 

Band — " Rule Britannia." 

General Napier rose to respond, and was received with 
much cheering. Having thanked the company for the 
compliment to the Army, he said : — Being myself a 
military man, you cannot expect me to resound the 
praises of the branch of the service to which I have 
the honor to belong. But I may say this on the 
authority of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 
the Commander-in-Chief — and I can conscientiously say 
it — that the British army at the present moment is in a 
state of the greatest efficiency, and ready to do its duty 
whenever called upon to do so. On an occasion such as 
this I can only venture to address you for a brief space to 
make a few remarks on the Volunteers and Militia of 
Canada. You all know my opinions on the subject of the 
Volunteers. I believe them to be in deed and in truth 
the right arm of Canada, and should war arise — which I 
sincerely hope may not be the case — but should war arise, 
owing to the number of miles we have to defend, it would 
be impossible for the regular troops for a moment to make 
a successful resistance against a large force unless we were 
supported, and well supported, by an organized and effec- 
tive militia. Gentlemen, I know with you, that to have 



UKION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 163 

an efficient militia force you must pay for it ; and it is in 
that point of view that I hope my hon. friend on my right 
(Mr Gait) will put his hand deeply into your pockets, 
and bring out sufficient money to keep up a good militia 
service. (Cheers and laughter.) Let him do that, and 
there will be no question about your having an efficient 
militia. I am not going to detain you long ; but before I 
sit down I wish to make a few remarks on another branch 
of this subject. I consider that a great and most impor- 
tant step has been taken in the organization of the militia 
of this country by the establishment of military schools in 
Upper and Lower Canada. I think it is one of the most 
important measures which Lord Monck and his advisers 
could have brought forward, because you know as well as 
I do that forty or fifty thousand men could not be render- 
ed efficient unless they had officers who were well drilled 
themselves and who knew how to drill others ; and unless 
they were well drilled before hand, it would be impossible, 
within five or six months at all events, to get men to take 
the field, and in the interval we would be, I will not say 
what. (Hear and laughter.) There have passed these schools 
not less than 250 gentlemen holding first-class certificates, 
and some 206 or 208 holding second-class certificates. I 
am well aware that any gentleman who may have passed 
these schools and taken a first or second-class certificate, 
is fit to take command as an officer of a company of sol- 
diers. But besides these there were more than a hundred 
who attended the schools, and who, although they took no 
certificates, had enough of drill to make them exceedingly 
good subalterns, if not good non-commissioned officers. 
You will thus agree with me that the establishment of 
those schools is a most important step towards the organi- 
zation of an efficient militia. 

Colonel Denison returned thanks on behalf of the Vo- 
lunteer Force. He said : — It is always a matter of the 
greatest satisfaction to the volunteer militia generally to 
be coupled in any way with Her Majesty's forces. (Hear, 
hear.) I hope the great measure which our guests 
have lately been engaged in will have the desired effect, 
and that we will all soon be united as one grand system ; 
and I am sure the country will be well defended by the 



164 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

volunteer force, aided by the regular troops, against any 
foe which might have the temerity to present himself. 
(Cheers.) 

The Hon. Mr. Allan, M.L.C., who officiated as Vice 
Chairman, then rose to propose the health of the Maritime 
Delegates. He said : — We have here, Sir, gentlemen 
from all the Provinces in that part of North America 
calling itself British, and which acknowledges the sway 
of that gracious Lady, whose portrait behind the chair 
looks down approvingly on her loyal subjects now as- 
sembled. (Applause.) On all occasions we Canadians— 
and I think I may especially say so of my fellow-citizens 
of Toronto — are prepared to extend a hearty and cordial 
welcome to our fellow-subjects of the Maritime Provinces. 
And more especially is that the case when, as on 
this occasion, there are present those who are distin- 
guished as public men and as statesmen. But, Mr. 
Mayor, the present visit ot these gentlemen to Canada 
is invested with peculiar interest and significance to all 
of us. They have come here to-day as it were to hold 
out to us the right hand of brotherhood, and to invite 
us to draw closer those political ties of a common allegi- 
ance, of similiar political institutions, and of a community 
of interests It is in many respects desirable that our con- 
nexion should be of a more intimate character than has 
hitherto existed between us. I shall not presume to tres- 
pass upon the time of this assembly with any lengthened 
remarks on the great subject of Confederation, inasmuch 
as we are called to meet those to-day who are prepared to 
give those explanations in reference to this important 
scheme, without which it would be impossible for us to 
form a correct judgment. And while I would preserve a 
becoming reticence on the details on this occasion, feeling 
that, with others, I shall probably have an opportunity of 
discussing these details elsewhere, I may at any rate go so 
far as to say that I heartily believe that a close, cordial 
and intimate union of all the Provinces of British North 
America is one of the most important and most desirable 
objects which any body of British American statesmen 
could set themselves to promote. (Loud and enthusiastic 
cheers.) Such of us as have watched with any interest 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 165 

the opinions put forth from day to day by persons of all 
political parties in Great Britain, in regard to the colonies, 
must feel there is a growing feeling in England that the 
time has come when this country should assume a larger 
share in the responsibilities which are looked for on the 
part of all colonies aspiring to a great political status and 
a national existence I heartily concur with those of our 
fellow British subjects who think we ought so to apply 
ourselves as to secure a firm stand on this continent as a 
British nationality ; and if any would doubt that the time 
has come when we should set ourselves to the task ot using 
our best exertions to place these Provinces in a different 
position to that they already occupy, they have only to 
look across our borders to the great Kepublic, and reflect 
upon the changes wrought there by a military autocracy. 
(Hear, hear.) If, then, we would draw closer together 
those social and political bonds which unite us to our fel- 
low-subjects in the Maritime Provinces, in order to in- 
crease our strength and material prosperity, we are bound 
to extend a hearty welcome to those gentlemen who are 
come here as delegates of the respective Provinces to aid 
in maturing a plan for that great Confederation which has 
been so lately brought before us. (Applause.) All honor 
to those statesmen of the Maritime Provinces, and all 
honor to those statesmen of Canada who have originated 
this scheme, and who have applied themselves for many 
weeks past to mature it, so that it might commend itself to 
the hearty approval, not only of Canadians, but of the in- 
habitants of British North America generally. (Cheers.) 
Sir, I feel confident that we may look forward to a long 
future of happiness and prosperity, not alone to Canada, 
but to British America as a whole, from the visit of these 
gentlemen on this important occasion, and therefore I am 
sure that you will heartily join with me in according to 
them a right cordial welcome. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I 
ask you to join in drinking, with all the honors, not only 
the healths of the delegates of the Lower Provinces, but 
if I may be permitted to say so, (turning to the ladies' 
gallery,) that of the fair representatives of those Provinces 
also. 

The toast was drank with three times three cheers. 

Band; — " Auld lang ; syne." 



166 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Hon. Mr. McCitlly, of Nova Scotia, responded. He 
said, Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen — The reception that has 
been given to the Delegates from the Lower Provinces, 
and the enthusiastic manner in which you have responded 
to the toast which has just been given, quite overwhelm 
me. I was prepared to some extent for meeting a cordial 
reception in this part of Canada, and I must say that since 
we first set our feet upon the shores of this noble Province 
we have been received with one continued ovation ; it has 
been one carnival, from the beginning until now. Indeed, 
language fails me to express the emotions which at this 
moment inspire my bosom, and you will forgive me, there- 
fore, if I should pass by various subjects which I might 
speak upon, in order to address myself briefly and more 
immediately to the important matter which has called us 
together, in this the future capital of Upper Canada. 
(Cheers.) Gentlemen, we of the Maritime Provinces 
were engaged a short time ago endeavouring to make such 
arrangements as would enlarge the sphere of our commer- 
cial operations, accomplish a legislative union, and secure 
future prosperity. We had learned that while commerce 
knew no bounds, and our sails whiten the shores of every 
sea, our merchants, entering into large commercial enter- 
prises, were cramped in their energies, and our trade 
encumbered with hostile tariffs. While we were so en- 
gaged there tapped at our door one fine morning a dele- 
gation from Canada, — seven of your most intelligent, 
active, and enterprising statesmen, whom we invited to 
seats in our councils. They gave us to understand that 
they had a more excellent way. We sat down listening to 
them day after day. First we had our friend from Lower 
Canada, Mr. Cartier — (cheers) — who in a graphic man- 
ner gave us to understand that what was required to 
make a great nation was the maritime element. Canada, 
he said, possesses the territorial and the popular element, 
but it requires the maritime element. (Cheers.) He in- 
vited us gentlemen of the Lower Provinces to assist him 
and those who were with him in preparing a larger scheme 
than that in which we were engaged. — Next followed your 
Attorney General West, Mr. Macdonald. (Loud cheers.) 
In that pleasing, chaste, and classic style for which he is 
distinguished, he spoke to us half a day on the subject of 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 167 

governments and governmental institutions. He enlarged 
upon the failure of the institutions which had been adopted 
in the neighbouring republic, and advocated a system 
which he contended would build up a great empire of these 
Provinces. Close upon him came Mr. Gait, mighty in 
finance, great in statistics, and wonderful in political skill 
— (cheers) — he charmed us for another half day. Follow- 
ing close upon him came Mr. McGee — (cheers) with his 
agricultural statistics — (laughter) — charming us yet again. 
Last but not least, followed my honorable friend from 
Upper Canada, Mr. Brown — (cheers) — enlightening us, 
and producing sensations so overwhelming that we almost 
forgot where we were. (Great cheering and laughter.) 
I suppose yo\* will hardly believe me when I tell you that 
the representatives of the Maritime Provinces, who had 
been convened for the purpose of securing a particular 
constitution for themselves, having heard your Delegates, 
adjourned with their work unfinished, if I may perhaps 
coin a word, unbegun. (Cheers.) We adjourned to Nova 
Scotia, and asked the gentlemen from Canada to come see 
our Province. They had seen the fair little Island of 
Prince Edward ; we asked them to come and see the mines 
and minerals, the forests and fisheries of Nova Scotia. 
We first took them to Pictou, a great storehouse of the 
world's motive power, and we asked them to take a trip 
down one of the shafts with us, but we found them gentle- 
men of opposite proclivities, aspiring upwards, and not one 
of them could be induced to descend to look at our coal. 
We next took them to Halifax, and, while on the way, 
stopped the cars for half an hour to shew them our gold 
mines. You would have been pleased to have seen how 
the eyes of Mr. Gait glistened as he gazed upon the pre- 
cious metal. (Great laughter.) Why, he said, there was 
a specific for all the commercial and financial crises that 
ever could befall the Confederation. (Laughter.) They 
were satisfied that Nova Scotia was a land that, after all, 
had some attractions about it. (Cheers.) Before we 
parted from our guests, we received an invitation to Canada, 
and to Canada we Came. They took us to Quebec, where 
they kept us for sixteen mortal days. Though they treated 
us well, they, however, worked us well too. (Cheers and 
laughter.) We. sat down to frame a constitution for this 



168 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROTINOBS. 

great confederation. (Cheers.) There we dug deep, and 
laid strong and broad the foundations, as we hope, of an 
Empire, and it will be for you hereafter, when the proper 
time comes, to pass a fitting verdict upon our labors. 
Though circumstances render it impossible for me to give 
you more than you have seen already with regard to the 
nature of that constitution which we have been framing, 
I do trust in all hopefulness that it will meet your appro- 
bation. Deal kindly by it. It has been the work of men 
of some experience, and I am free to say it has been to a 
great -extent with us a labor of love. Our discussions 
have been characterized by the most friendly intercourse. 
We have expended our best energies upon the scheme 
which we have wrought out, and when it comes to be un- 
folded to you, men of Canada, men of Toronto, I trust you 
will deal fairly with it. Let no savage, hostile criticism 
attack it, till it has been read, weighed and duly con- 
sidered. (Cheers.) And if, after so weighing and con- 
sidering it, you have anything to say against it, let it be in 
a spirit of moderation. (Cheers.) I ask it with the more 
confidence, because I, a member of the opposition of Nova 
Scotia, invited to take my share in this task, have been 
content that party feeling and party action should, for the 
moment, be hushed and stilled in prescence of so great a 
question. (Cheers.) And I ask it, too, of the members 
of the Governments of all the Provinces, if they desire that 
this enterprise should be successful, that there be no 
attempt to make out of it any local political capital. 
(Hear, hear, and cheers — loud and long.) Nothing in 
in my opinion could be more fatal to the measure. There- 
fore, as we of the Oppposition have laid aside our feelings 
and prejudices to work out this scheme, then I say in all 
confidence, we have a right to expect of the Governments 
of these Provinces that they will co-operate with us, and 
so attempt to combine the sympathies of all the people 
of the Provinces in such a way as to secure from them for 
the measure that consideration from their hands which it 
merits. I suppose many of you are anxious to know all 
the particulars of the scheme. But it is not in my power 
to deal with it in other than general terms. I may say, 
however, that if the measure under consideration goes into 
operation, in the first place each of these Provinces — 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 169 

Canada being divided into two — may manage its own 
local affairs as it likes, but that larger subjects — commerce, 
the post office, banks, telegraphs, ocean navigation and 
the great Intercolonial Kail way, which has been so much 
talked of, currency, coins, interest, public works and kin- 
dred subjects, that these shall be fit subjects for the 
Federal Government and Legislature to deal with. We 
trust that, when the whole matter has been fairly placed 
before you, it will meet your approbation. Although 
there may be some points that may be assailable, and 
although we cannot expect that our scheme should come 
perfect from the hands of the designers, yet I humbly trust 
that when it is unfolded, and that when the men of 
Canada and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, of Prince 
Edward Island and Newfoundland, shall properly under- 
stand it, it will command their cordial assent. (Cheers.) 
But let me say that if there is one thing connected with 
this grand scheme of Confederation which ought more 
than another to be kept in the minds of the public men 
of all these Provinces.it is this — that it shall not financially 
weigh too heavily on the people. (Hear, hear.) In Nova 
Scotia, from whence I come, we have an ad valorem tariff 
of ten per cent., and one of the greatest difficulties we 
shall have to contend with in that Province in inducing 
our people to come in to the Confederation, will be to recon- 
cile them to the raising of that tariff to any very large 
extent, unless it be for the public defence of the country, 
or some great public improvement, advantage, or neces- 
sity. The hon. gentleman proceeded to say that he did 
not himself believe, as an individual member of the Dele- 
gation, that it would conduce to the happiness of this 
country if we were to get a great Confederation, and the 
result were to be a great addition to the public debt, unless 
that addition were contracted for public works, or in pro- 
viding the means of public defence. Therefore, he did 
hope that the public men who might have the arrange- 
ment of these affairs will so manage them that our tariff 
should not bear heavily upon the people, because he was 
satisfied t that the Confederation scheme would not be looked 
upon with approval abroad, ranch less at home, if the 
result were to be that the Provinces were to be confed- 
erated for objects purely selfish, and no provision secured 



170 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

for our common defence. (Cheers.) It became us all to 
endeavour to arrange at the outset as far as possible to 
economise the finances of this great Confederation, and 
therefore he asked that the public mind should be pointed 
in that direction, for he believed it lay at the basis of the 
success of the whole scheme. (Cheers.) He (Mr. McCully) 
and his coadjutors had looked with pleasure and pride 
upon the mighty city of Montreal as it expanded year by 
year, its great heart pulsating with extending trade ; they 
had passed thence to Ottawa, designed as the future 
capital of the empire, where art and nature seemed active 
in rivalry and enterprise, and all along they had met with 
the utmost kindness and hospitality ; but when they 
arrived at Toronto last evening the reception they there 
met with, he thought, must be summed up in the single 
word — " Excelsior/' To-day they had been carried to 
see the public educational institutions of this city. He 
regarded the youth of these institutions with deep interest. 
He trusted at some period not far distant, that from those 
halls the future rulers of British America would emerge. 
Some perhaps were there to-day. When he got back to 
his own land he should not fail to endeavor to convey to 
his own people some faint reflex of what he had seen in 
Toronto. Nova Scotians were not in all respects situated 
as Canadians are. Very many of them derived their liv- 
ing from the fisheries and by navigation. They were 
much upon the ocean — 

" Their march is on the mountain wave, 
Their home is on the deep." 

Therefore it was that some portion of the population had 
not, perhaps, advanced in education equally with the 
population of Upper Canada. But they were brave sea- 
men, and no people could be great without the sea ; and 
Nova Scotia would offer her seamen for common defence. 
The last man he (Mr. McCully) saw in Nova Scotia 
said to him : — " Don't be afraid to cast in our lot with 
Canada, (Cheers.) Give us a fair deal, and I have no 
fears. I want to see Confederation (if there is to be any) 
in my own day and I am quite prepared to take my chance 
with the men of my profession — the mercantile profession — 
the wide world over/' So he (Mr. McCully) said, what- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 171 

ever came of it, he desired to see Confederation, if any, in 
his day. (Cheers,) Canada for Canadians, if you will, 
but British America for us all ; and all combined for mu- 
tual protection. The country that was not worth defend- 
ing was not worth living in. Let all our energies be com- 
bined, not only to make it a home to be loved, but a home 
to be respected, and one in which we should all be safe. 
(Cheers.) And should the foot of the ruthless invader 
ever threaten Canada, he hoped he knew the people of 
Nova Scotia well enough to assure Canadians that they 
would feel as though their own Province were invaded. 
(Cheers.) They would be prepared to contribute their 
quota for purposes of common defence. No man could 
look upon the contest progressing in the United States 
without feelings of deep regret. That nation, great in 
prosperity, would be great even in its rains. It was now 
bleeding at every pore. He (Mr. McCully) was neither 
for the North nor for the South. He deprecated the ex- 
treme partisanship manifested by some persons in these 
Provinces ; he did not think it right. But he thought it 
our duty to prepare ourselves against any danger which 
might be forthcoming, and he hoped the men of Western 
Canada, of all Canada, and of the Maritime Provinces, 
would now combine their energies for the purpose of 
building up an American empire which should withstand 
all the winds and storms of the future. (Cheers.) We 
had already a nucleus of something like 4,000,000 of peo- 
ple to begin with, and if we worked together harmoniously, 
energetically, and heartily, we should be able to accom- 
plish all we desired. (Cheers.) The hon. gentleman con- 
cluded by cautioning the Governments of the Provinces 
against attempting to make party capital of the present 
movement ; and asked the company to accept his thanks, 
and the thanks of the Nova Scotia delegates, who had on 
the present occasion deputed him to speak for them, for 
the great kindness shown ; and when a federation of the 
Provinces was an accomplished fact, he, for one, should 
never envy the feelings of him who could not heartily and 
proudly exclaim — 

"This is my own, my native land." 

The hon. gentleman resumed his seat amid loud cheers. 



172 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

The Honorable Charles Fisher, one of the New 
Brunswick Delegates, rose to respond on behalf of that 
Province. He said : — If his friend who had just sat down 
felt embarrassed, how must he (Mr. Fisher) feel who had 
to follow an orator like him. When Dr. Tupper address- 
ed the audience in Quebec he stated somewhat of the em- 
barrassment he felt on that occasion. How much more 
must his (Mr. Fisher's) be now, being called to speak 
upon a subject which, having been discussed meeting after 
meeting, was to a great extent exhausted. Desirous as he 
was, as an alumnus of an institution kindred to that 
whose President to-day delivered to them such weighty 
words within the walls of University College, that his 
every expression should be well guarded, he felt some em- 
barrassment in rising to address an audience hundreds of 
miles away from his borne ; but he felt also that there 
were there kindred sympathies — not simply those arising 
from a common origin, but from other causes, whereby he, 
a New Brunswicker, was assured of welcome and consider- 
ation in this the Queen City of the West. He referred to 
the welcome given those men who early settled this por- 
tion of Canada, who alike settled that portion of New 
Brunswick in which he was living — those men who, in a 
time of trouble and revolt, strong in British feeling, left 
their homes, and, desirous of perpetuating British institu- 
tions in this wilderness of the West, settled various por- 
tions of this territory. Thus he could claim a common 
ancestry, which he felt certain, though a stranger, would 
assure to him a patient hearing in an assemblage like this. 
Himself and friends had been overwhelmed wi'ii the re- 
ception they had received. From the first hour they had 
set their feet in Canada, up to this moment, they had had 
one continued ovation. He saw fully that the public 
mind of Canada was stirred to its inmost depths by the 
great question with which they had to deal. Perhaps no 
event equal in importance to this country since the battle 
on the plains of Abraham — certainly no event in more 
modern times, stood forward so prominently as this, and 
the future historian would refer back to it as full of great 
results. In 1785 the Congress of the United States first 
met for the purpose of making arrangements to sever the 
colonies irom the mother country. How different our 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 173 

position. We assembled under the aegis of the protecting 
power of Great Britain, determined to provide means 
whereby our connection with the mother country should 
endure. Whatever other differences of opinion there 
might be, whatever were our local peculiarities, that was 
a foregone conclusion ; that was a point about which there 
could be no discussion ; all have agreed that the course we 
might adopt for the improvement of our condition should 
be taken under the protecting care, and as part and parcel 
of the greatest empire the world ever saw. * * * 
Men of every party, of every denomination — men from 
every section of the country, cognizant of their different 
ideas in politics and theology, met together resolved to lay 
their differences as an offering upon the altar of their com- 
mon country. (Cheers.) No event had occurred in 
modern times equal to this. We had seen the kings and 
potentates of Europe meet together, but for what purpose ? 
To divide nationalities, to destroy the liberties of peoples, 
according to their own will and for their own selfish pur- 
poses. But we had only one common desire, to build up 
one great country, with one free government, whose per- 
vading element should be monarchial, combined with suf- 
ficient of the democratic element, that we might provide 
for all time a government adequate to the wants and in- 
terests of the whole people. (Cheers.) The Maritime 
Provinces would bring into this Confederation something 
near a million — 800,000 people, and a territory of fifty or 
sixty thousand square miles. They offered a maritime 
element ; they offered a large sea coast, ports open at all 
seasons of the year ; they offered access to the ocean ; they 
offered to come in with Canada on terms of equality- 
When this Confederation became a fact, if they examined 
the statistics published from time to time, they would find 
that in point of maritime influence and importance it 
would be the fourth power in the world. (Cheers.) In 
these respects England, France, and the United States 
would alone be superior to it. The Lower Provinces had 
many things which would be beneficial to Canada. They 
had important fisheries, native iron, coal, copper and lead ; 
all of which would count in the future interchange of 
commodities between the different Provinces. They had 
in New Brunswick ten million acres of land still ungranted, 



174 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

eight of which were fit tor settlement. Let it not then be 
supposed that they came in as almoners, as supplicants ; 
they came like free Englishmen to ask a place in the Con- 
federation. (Cheers.) Great as Canadians— -as manufac- 
turers and as merchants — might be, great as was their 
population, great as was their resources, he would tell the 
audience that their equals were to be found in the Lower 
Provinces. (Cheers.) New Brunswick expended annu- 
ally £30,000 a year for schools, £35,000 a year for roads, 
and small as their Province was, they had at this moment 
1,500,000 miles of roads, 7,500 of which might be travers- 
ed in a carriage and four. They had besides 200 miles of 
railway, equal to anything of the kind on this continent. 
(Cheers.) Did they know why the inter-communication 
between these Provinces had hitherto been so limited ? 
It did not arise from poverty of soil, or from local and 
political causes. Until 1845 the country between New 
Brunswick and Canada was locked up. And then what 
was done ? Why, a large tract of land was taken away 
from little New Brunswick and Canada, and handed over 
to the United States. Did they think, if this Confedera- 
tion had then been formed, that the interests of New 
Brunswick would have been sacrificed to the cotton-spin- 
ners and the tobacco dealers ? The result of the differ- 
ences which took place was that this part of the country 
long remained a wilderness, and a large portion of it, 
equal to the State of New Hampshire, with a large settle- 
ment of French Canadians, was handed over to the Union. 
They had built roads through New Brunswick, but if 
they were to have complete intercommunication the In- 
tercolonial Railway must be built, and he hoped its neces- 
sity was recognized as fully in Western Canada as it was 
in New Brunswick. He had almost hoped against hope 
for its construction, but he had ever felt that what was an 
advantage to New Brunswick must be supplied. When 
built the district between the two Provinces, now almost 
uninhabited, would speedily be filled up, and the two 
countries connected. Their trade was rapidly extending 
in that part of the Province. So long as five years ago 
their lumbermen had cut lumber within hearing of the 
gun fired regularly at Cape Diamond. They imported 
annually 250,000 or 300,000 barrels of flour into the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 175 

Province. Hundreds and thousands of barrels were year- 
ly carried up the river St. John, to within 40 or 50 miles 
of the banks of the St. Lawrence. They were not entirely 
selfish in this matter. He had been an advocate of the 
railway ever since it was proposed. He had always ar- 
gued for it as a link in the great chain of railways which 
would yet connect Halifax with Vancouver Island. He 
had read with great interest the descriptions of that coun- 
try — especially those given by the scientific men sent out 
by Canada to explore it, and he had always argued that 
communication with that country was a commercial neces- 
sity to the West. It was a peculiarity of the British ter- 
ritory lying on this side of the Kocky Mountains that its 
very formation made it the best route to the Pacific, by 
which a railway could be constructed on much better 
terms than in the United States. We possessed the best 
pass by which to cross the Mountains. Another singular- 
ity was that in the approach to those mountains in the 
United States territory, there was a large area of desert 
incapable of cultivation and unfit for settlement. But ex- 
plorers told us that both sides of the mountains, in British 
territory, were fit for settlement. They enquired would 
such a road pay ? Had the Grand Trunk Railway paid ? 
Ask the rapid improvement of Canada if it had not paid ? 
Ask the hundred thousand people of Montreal the result 
of that great instrument of progress. Ask the increase 
given to the value of land and to the products of the West ; 
ask all these, and let their testimony to the great benefit 
derived be the reply. When the resources of the interior 
were brought into action, what would be required to carry 
these products to the ocean? Would not a railway be 
needed ? (Cheers.) Then, was there no pride involved 
in the construction of an Intercolonial Railway ? Were we 
not liable to have our means of communication stopped 
by the Americans any time they chose to do so ? Was it 
not a humiliation to them, the delegates from the Lower 
Provinces, to have to open their trunks for examination 
by an American customs officer, before they could pass 
from one portion of British territory to another. If a 
railway were constructed this would not have to be under- 
gone. (Cheers.) But, after all, possessing as they did 
such complete elements for the formation of a great nation, 



176 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

what would they be without a free government ? What 
would have been the trade of England, the centre of civili- 
zation and of Christianity, without her free government ? 
The members of the Convention had met together for the 
purpose of framing a government adapted to these colonies, 
and they had endeavored to do it upon the principles of 
the British monarchy. (Cheers.) They had kept in view 
the great original of the parent state, but they had so con- 
structed the constitution as to preserve intact the rights of 
each separate Province. They had felt that the social 
condition of the Provinces was such that there might be 
great difficulty in carrying out the British constitution in 
all its details, still its great principles they had kept and 
applied. They had endeavored to preserve the three lead- 
ing elements which should give elasticity and power and 
animation to the whole. They had endeavored to preserve 
the monarchical, the aristocratic and democratic princi- 
ples, the three elements of virtue, honor, and power, and 
he believed that whatever difficulties might be found in 
working out the details, the constitution as a whole would 
be found to possess the vital principles necessary to vital- 
ity and permanence. They had left to the local bodies of 
the Confederation local matters, and when they had found 
any condition of things which it was necessary to preserve, 
they had provided that these should be untouched forever. 
They had endeavored to build up a strong central power, 
which should have control of matters of common interest, 
and surely the defence of the country might be counted 
among them. (Cheers.) He was not one of those who 
had any fear, whatever might be the result of the contest 
in the United States, that Great Britain would throw us 
off ; but he believed that it was a part of our duty as good 
subjects, who valued our privileges, to make provision for 
our defence to the extent of our ability. He believed 
further, that in Great Britain, observing this to be our de- 
termination, the whole power of the empire, should occa- 
sion require, would be put forward to defend her colonies. 
He was not one of those who mistrusted the people of this 
Province. Let the men of Canada not forget that when 
the alarm of war broke out in 1812, when this Province 
was threatened with invasion, the people of New Bruns- 
wick raised a regiment which, amid suffering and privation, 



UNION OF THB BRITISH PROVINOES. 177 

passed through the Northern snow, and fought and fell 
heroes by the side of the militia of Canada. Surely if any 
one doubted we might appeal to the memory of the im- 
mortal Brock to show that we were willing and able to 
defend ourselves. Separated, widely separated as we 
were, we might be easily destroyed ; but united, we should 
present a formidable front. We had territory enough* 
The first House of Commons that was elected for these 
united provinces would represent 4,000,000 of people, a 
population equal to that of many of the states of Europe. 
It had been well said that if some of those states which 
enjoyed an independent existence were thrown into one of 
the Canadian lakes, they would not make a ripple on the 
shore. (Laughter.) As in our Confederation local ques- 
tions would be left to the local legislatures, he had high 
hopes that in the general legislature the smaller politics 
would be forgotten, and that a desire for national honor 
would arise, without which national greatness could never 
be attained. Then we were to have intercolonial free 
trade. If the Lower Provinces could do Canada no other 
good in going into a Confederation with her, they could 
give her manufacturers a million new customers, while 
they themselves would open up a market with 4,000,000 
of people rapidly increasing in number. He did not feel 
disposed to detain the audience much longer, but he could 
not close without a few remarks on the future that lay 
before this country. Just imagine, when the whole terri- 
tory had become populated, when into this Confederation 
were thrown the colonies beyond the Kocky Mountains, 
that we should have one continuous flow of British blood 
and British feeling from ocean to ocean. Then we might 
anticipate that the whole trade of the world would pass 
through our territory to India and China and far off 
Japan. (Cheers.) In endeavoring to form this Confed- 
eration, in endeavoring to unite this country together, in 
endeavoring to promote the mutual good-will of these 
peoples, it appeared to him we were only carrying out the 
original designs of the settlers of this country. They de- 
sired to extend British freedom, British power, British 
institutions here, and we were now going to effect this 
great object, that object for which our fathers bled and 
died. (Cheers.) 

14 



178 UNION OF THB fiRmSH PROVItfCfl*. 

Hon. Mr. Carter, of Newfoundland, was then called 
upon, and said— Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen, I am highly 
pleased that my hon. friends from the other Provinces 
have given me a little breathing time. I intend now, 
with your permission, to offer a few observations for my- 
self and co-delegate of the colony of Newfoundland. 
Some of you may know something of that Colony, but by 
the majority I fear that little information is possessed as 
to its capabilities. We have been placed, as it were, at 
the fag-end of this Confederation ; but in another sense our 
geographical position places us at the very commencement 
of it. We are, in truth, at the gate of entrance to the St. 
Lawrence, which leads on to your mighty inland waters. 
And without us, it is not too much to say that there would 
be no stability to this proposed Confederation. I have 
no doubt myself that when the celebrated navigator, 
Jacques Cartier, first touched at Newfoundland, when 
proceeding to the discovery of Canada, he formed an opin- 
ion that these sections of country must one day become 
united ; and in that point of view it is a pleasing thing to 
know that one of his collateral descendants, the Attorney 
General for Lower Canada, should take such a deep inter- 
est in the matter, with his friends in the Administration, 
as to endeavor to carry out this union, which by many of 
us has been long sought for. (Cheers.) For myself, I 
would say, that I am not altogether unacquainted with 
Canada, having already paid some three or four visits to 
this Province, and most of our people know a little about 
it. There has been within the last four years a growing 
desire that we should have more intimate intercourse one 
with another — that we should, in fact, form part of a 
great whole. In the Conference held at Charlottetown 
we took no part ; we were not invited ; and the first invi- 
tation we had came from Canada, but a short time before 
our visit here. To show that we have long been alive to 
the advantages of union, I may mention that in 1858. 
when a despatch was received from the Government of 
Canada, requesting the Lower Provinces to co-operate in 
bringing about a union, Newfoundland was the only 
colony which responded. (Cheers ) From that time up 
to the present we heard nothing further on the subject, 
but I think that when you shall have heard from me that 



UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 179 

scarcely a day elapsed from the time the telegram was 
received in our colony until we were appointed to come to 
Quebec and started on our journey, you will admit that it 
is a proof of the deep interest our people have continued 
to take in this matter. (Cheers.) Newfoundland, as you 
are aware, is a commercial place, and is not very celebrat- 
ed for its agricultural capabilities. The reason of this is, 
that the attention of our people has been chiefly taken up 
by the prosecution of the fisheries, which have been most 
valuable to the people along the coast, furnishing inex- 
haustible mines of wealth, from which, from time to time, 
immensely large fortunes have been drawn. But unfortu- 
nately those who have amassed those fortunes have retired 
to spend them, not in the country, but in their mansions 
on the Clyde and the Thames ; and we hope that when 
this Confederation shall have been accomplished we shall 
not find our men of wealth deserting us and spending 
their money in the old country but remaining with us, 
finding there homes as congenial to their wishes as the 
mansions of Great Britain. On the subject of our terri- 
torial area, it will not be unimportant that I should say a 
few words, though I do not intend to go into elaborate 
statistics, as these were very well gone into by my hon. 
friend, Mr. Shea, in Montreal. He there stated that we 
were ready to receive from Canada to the extent of some 
five or six millions a year if we had increased facilities, 
and particularly increased shipping. He also shewed that 
our public debt is only £200,000 — that our exports always 
exceed our imports — that we are able to raise within the 
colony every penny which is required for public purposes, 
and that our five per cent, debentures are worth a premium 
of five per cent. (Hear, hear.) This is a good proof of 
the state of trade in this colony, and shews that we can 
come to join with you in the character, at any rate, of 
independence. We have mutual wants, and may be of 
great benefit the one to tLe other. You want the mari- 
time element, and we are able to give it to you. You 
may by and by require seamen to man your navy, and 
where will you be able to get them more readily than in 
Newfoundland ? A more hardy and enterprising people 
than that colony contains are not to be found. From 



180 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

their earliest days they have been " roeked in the cradle 
of the deep." (Applause.) Great Britain has given large 
bounties to create a nursery for her navy ; and there is 
no class of her subjects who stand more ready with willing 
hands and stout arms to come to her defence when neces- 
sary than the people of Newfoundland. (Cheers.) Sir, 
the area of this country, so little known in Canada, is 
over 40,000 square miles, and that is no little to add, if 
anything were wanting to be added, to your present terri- 
tory. It is larger a great deal than New Brunswick ; it is 
larger than Nova Scotia ; it is larger than either of the 
countries taken separately, of England, Scotland, and Ire- 
land. And its resources, when developed, cannot fail to 
be of the greatest value. We have valuable mines of 
gold — I believe silver mines will be discovered, to be 
worked to advantage — and we have rich mines also of lead 
and copper. Will not all this, I may ask, be something 
to bring into the proposed Confederation as the free-will 
offering of Newfoundland? (Cheers.) Then, too, as I 
said before, we have our fisheries. We are supposed, how- 
ever, to be almost altogether buried in fog, and when I 
meet with gentlemen abroad, the first thing they say, on 
hearing I come from Newfoundland, is, "I believe you 
are notorious for fogs, and highly celebrated for fish and 
dogs/' (Laughter.) I desire as far as possible to dispel 
so erroneous an idea. These fogs do not, in truth, prevail 
more with us than in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, 
and I can assure you that in Newfoundland you will find 
as cloudless and as bright a sky, and that you can breathe 
there as free and dry an atmosphere, as in any part of the 
known world, (Cheers.) Many of you may think that 
this subject is becoming thread-bare from being so fre- 
quently spoken about ; but my excuse for mentioning it 
again is that the magnitude of the question is such that it 
cannot be too frequently referred to, provided one does not 
trespass on the time of others. Now the reception — the 
enthusiastic reception — of last night, and magnificent 
entertainment to-day, are strong proofs ot the deep inter- 
est taken in this question in Canada. We do not come 
here as distinguished men — we do not come with titles or 
honors — we do not come ennobled ; but we come as 



tffifON 0? THE BRITISH PROVISOES. 181 

brother colonists on our peaceful mission, proclaiming the 
desire of our people to unite their destinies with yours. 
(Cheers.) We knew that you would receive us for the 
cause, and no stronger proof could be given us of the deep- 
rooted feeling which prevails in this Province, in favor of 
union, than is afforded by these receptions. We come 
here representing all shades of politics — my co-delegate 
from the Opposition and myself from the Government. 
We break all distinctions of party down for this occasion, 
and I hope for ever. (Cheers.) If you were to ask 
me by what differences we are kept asunder in Newfound- 
land, I confess I should have great difficulty in telling you ;, 
and were the same question to be put to my other friends 
from the other Maritime Provinces, I fancy the response 
would be the same. I hope sincerely if this Confederation 
is formed, that it will tend to do away with this petty 
party spirit and those prejudices, and that acerbity of feel- 
ing which at one time was charaoteristic of us ; for we 
generally find that the intensity of the acerbity is propor- 
tionate to the narrowness of our limits. (Applause.) 
And what do we find here ? Do we not find here, as 
everywhere else, a combination of men who, like ourselves, 
are of different shades of politics, but who have united 
together to promote the same reform ? Have you not the 
ablest men from both sides of the House represented in 
the Administration, combining together to carry out this 
noble obj ect ? They are no longer fighting as the ' ' ins" and 
the "outs," but striving to promote the good of the country. 
In such an arrangement as is here proposed, we must 
necessarily lose some of our individualism ; but if we do 
we look forward to larger and brighter and greater pros- 
pects—we look to your glory and to our own. We know 
that as you advance we must advance, and that if you fall 
we are in danger of falling too. When we blend all our 
interests together, and become as one, we know that what- 
ever honor and glory you may obtain will be reflected on 
us as well ; and for these results, I care not for giving up 
what is called part of our individualism. [After thanking 
the Company for the toast, and making some pleasant 
allusions, in reference to the ladies, the honorable gentle- 
man resumed his seat amidst great cheering."] 



182 tfNIOBr OF THE BRITISH FROVINCBS. 

The Hon. Edward Palmer, Attorney General of 
Prince Edward Island, rose on behalf of that Colony to 
reply to the toast. He was well received on rising. He 
begged the company, on behalf of himself and his col- 
leagues who there represented it, to accept his acknow- 
ledgements for the very flattering manner in which the 
health of the delegated gentlemen had been proposed and 
received by the Assembly ; and proceeded to say : — The 
Island from which I came is but a small country, and it 
requires perhaps little to be said in its behalf ; and it is 
fortunate it is so, as the task has fallen upon one so inca- 
pable of doing it. But notwithstanding I shall say a few 
words, and in speaking of the Island, I am at first remind- 
ed of a very facetious remark of a . gentleman whom I 
trust you all know— and that is no other than Mr. D'Arcy 
McGi-ee— when speaking of Prince Edward Island. ' ' Now," 
this witty gentleman said, "don't you be too boastful 
about your little island ; don't let us hear so much about 
it, or we will send down a little tug boat and draw you up 
into one of our lakes, where we will leave you to take care 
of yourselves." (Laughter.) Perhaps if this did happen — 
if you did bring our little island here, we would not have 
much reason in many respects to regret the exchange. 
(Hear, hear.) We are an agricultural community, as you 
are all aware ; and although not a very great one, yet we 
can send away a million and a half bushels of oats in one 
year, still leaving enough for our own use. Now, as to 
the proposed union. Your friends came down, and we 
listened to them, and we resolved since then that there 
should be an Union. (Applause.) In the first place, we 
resolved that the Union should be, as far as the circum- 
stances of the country would permit, in accordance with 
the British Constitution. (Cheers.) The Provinces were 
unanimous in this. We then resolved that each of the 
Colonies should preserve its peouliar privileges and insti- 
tutions, and that there should be no higher power to 
interfere with them. (Applause.) We next agreed that 
as far as possible the debts of the colonies should be dealt 
with fairly and equally, and that the tariffs should be equal 
throughout. We next agreed that as regarded the outside 
world we should, between and amongst ourselves, enjoy 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 183 

free trade. (Applause.) I confess that in my Province 
there was at first no little anxiety with regard to this 
proposition, because we stand at present as happy and 
contented a people as any of the British Provinces. 
Yet I hesitate not to say that from all that has been 
witnessed by the Delegates representing that Island, 
they will not hesitate to recommend to their people the 
great Union which I hope soon to see accomplished. 
(Cheers.) We have come here and been delighted with 
the enterprise of your people. We have become acquaint- 
ed with your vast resources — the great perfection of your 
machinery— the great progress of arts and manufactures 
among you. (Applause.) Even to-day we were surprised 
to witness the admirable institutions of learning which 
you have among you, and had great pleasure in inspecting 
the minutice of the operations. We saw your wealthy 
merchants, your happy enterprising men making their 
fortunes — all convincing us that this country is one with 
which we need not be afraid to throw in our lot. (Cheers.) 
It is not the great hospitality alone that we have met with 
since we entered within your borders — it is not the kind- 
ness which we have received individually or collectively 
from the people of this Province — that causes us to desire 
to come into this union ; your excellent institutions of all 
kinds, and your progress in everything that goes to make 
up a great country, impel us to such a desirable consum- 
mation — to form part of the great empire or colony, or 
whatever you choose to call it, which is to be constructed 
out of these provinces of British America, sharing the 
glories of the mother country, which we all desire to see 
perpetuated and increased. (Cheers.) 

. The Chairman then said he had pleasure in introducing 
a gentleman from the Far West, who would speak to the 
Bed Biver interests. He called on Mr. James Boss. 
(Cheers.) 

Mr. Boss rose and said :— Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gen- 
tlemen,— -I feel that I owe you an apology for intruding 
upon your time this evening ; but seeing that you have so 
kindly received the toast of the North- West, I x as the only 
representative of that region, feel myself obliged to respond. 



184 UNION OF THK BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Mr. Mayor, the people of the country which I represent 
have been hitherto little heard of, but they must neverthe- 1 
less be taken into account in the scheme of Confederation 
which has, for some time past, been under consideration. 
In all the meetings hitherto held a great deal has been 
said with reference to the resources, the progress, the char- 
acter and standing of the various colonies represented in 
the Conference; but for the first time the Far West is 
formally recognised. The people of Ked Eiver cannot 
pretend to compete in point of numbers with any of the 
other members of the Confederation ; but the extent and 
intrinsic value of that country must make up-for want of 
population and the other symptoms of material progress. 
We have about 10,000 of a white population ; 15,000 of a 
half caste ; and 40,000 Indians. The government of the 
country is in the hands of the Hudson Bay Company, and 
is of an extremely primitive and patriarchal character. 
This government it is none of my duty, at the present time, 
to criticise; but I may say that it is anything but favora- 
ble to the progress of that country. To many in this vast 
assemblage it may be something new to state that the 
country of which I now speak is three millions of square 
miles in extent. Two-thirds of that may be too cold for 
ordinary agricultural purposes, but the southern portion, 
which embraces about one-third of the whole or one mil- 
lion of square miles, is eminently adapted for settlement, 
and I wish the fact to go far and wide as authentic and 
reliable. Being a native of that region, and a representa- 
tive in an ethnological as well as a geographical sense, I 
beg to express my great pleasure in seeing this measure 
of Confederation likely to be consummated, for I believe 
it will benefit the North West. Apart from the extent of the 
country, its intrinsic value forms an important element. 
It is capable of sustaining a vast population, because ex- 
tensive and fertile. For over 150 miles width along the 
boundary line there is as habitable a country as can be 
found on the surface of the globe. The climate has been 
represented by exploring expeditions sent from England 
and from this country as very similar to that of Canada. 
I know for a certainty that it is, on the whole, colder ; it is 
also more uniform and reliable. The air may be cold, 
but it is bracing and healthy. In truth, it is a most salu- 



tnrcos or the British provinces. 185 

brious climate. Apart from the fertility of the soil, a 
source of livelihood to immigrants would be the fish afford- 
ed by the waters of the country. There is abundance of 
white fish, pike, gold-eyes, perch, sturgeon, &c. — not an 
unimportant consideration in a new region. And the 
channels which contribute so much to the sustenance of 
an immigrant population also afford the means of internal 
navigation. The Eed Kiver district is thoroughly con- 
nected with all the parts of that vast region. By means 
of Lake Winnipeg it is connected with Nelson Kiver, 
which flows into Hudson's Bay ; connected with the Sas- 
katchewan, which leads from near the Kocky Mountains ; 
connected by the Winnipeg and Bainy rivers with Lake 
Winnipeg; and connected, lastly, with the interior of 
Minnesota near the sources of the Mississippi. There is, 
indeed, over the whole country a vast network of excellent 
water communication, well adapted for commercial pur- 
poses. And then allow me to say before this distinguished 
assemblage that the North-west has mineral resources of 
great value. Between .Lake Superior and Bed Biver 
there are extensive copper mines, and still more extensive 
ones are to be found along the Arthabasca and the Mac- 
kenzie Bivers. Coal mines, moreover, abound on the Sas- 
katchewan, and on the branches which flow into the 
Assiniboine. Gold, too, has been found in the Saskatche- 
wan region, and in such quantities elsewhere also, that 
there cannot be the least doubt of the auriferous character 
of that country. From $5 to $15 per day are being made, 
and every successive discovery only satisfies me more and 
more that the whole country abounds in gold, and that 
time alone is requisite to develope its resources in respect 
of minerals. In conclusion, allow me, a native of the Bed 
Biver country, and its sole representative here — to express 
the deep gratification I feel in having that part of the 
country so prominently brought before the attention of 
the delegates from the Lower Provinces ; and allow me to 
express the hope that in the scheme now being devised, 
the vast extent, the resources, the capabilities and the 
value of the North-west may be fully remembered. There 
is a country there to which the over-crowded populations 
of European countries may resort and find a comfortable 
home. (Cheers.) 



186 UNION Off THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

The Chairman then proposed "Her Majesty's Ministers." 
The toast was drank with every demonstration of enthu- 
siasm. 

Hon. George Brown, on rising to respond, was received 
with enthusiastic cheering. He said — Mr. Mayor and 
Gentlemen, I desire to return you the hearty thanks of 
my colleagues and myself for the manner in which you 
have received this toast. It is an old saying, that Eng- 
land loves not coalitions — and I am sure if the adage is 
true of England, it is doubly true of Canada. And I am 
free to say now as I have always said, that, except under 
the pressure of a most grave and urgent necessity, the 
combining of public men of opposite political sentiments 
to form a Government, under the British Parliamentary 
system, is very strongly to be deprecated. (Hear, hear.) 
But if ever there was a coalition that had a sufficient object 
to justify its formation, I do think it is that Administra- 
tion which I represent here to-day. (Cheers.) The present 
Administration was formed for a special purpose — for a 
great public end — it was formed in the light of day — its 
whole object and end was fully and openly proclaimed to 
the world — and no charge of intrigue or desire for personal 
aggrandisement could with justice be laid at the door of 
any party to the compact. (Hear, hear.) But, Mr. 
Mayor, if any defence were required, if it were necessary 
to offer any justification for the formation of the coalition — 
I think we offer it to you abundantly here to-day, in the 
remarkable scene now before you, as the practical result 
of our three months' labors. (Great cheering.) Formed 
though the coalition was of very incongruous materials — 
this much can most truly be said of it, that so far it has real- 
ized and more than realized all the results that at its 
creation were anticipated from it. (Cheers.) It will be 
recollected that Parliament adjourned immediately after 
the coalition was formed, and very soon after the adjourn- 
ment the Government opened communications with the 
Lower Provinces. It is well known that the political 
party with which I have the honor to be associated did 
not view a federation of all the Provinces with that degree 
of confidence with which it was regarded by a . portion of 
our opponents. Not that any of us deemed it an objec- 



UNION OF THE BBITISH PROVINCES. 187 

tionable thing that all the British American Provinces 
should be united. On the contrary, I think no public 
man in Canada, aspiring to the position of a statesman, 
could have looked at the position of these great and 
increasing colonies without descrying in the future their 
association together for purposes of defence and commerce, 
as an inevitable and desirable event destined at some day 
to be accomplished. (Cheers.) But while we all saw 
and acknowledged this, some of us felt at the same time 
that, we had practical difficulties, which there was an 
urgent necessity should be promptly and efficiently met — 
and we were ill content to have our hands tied up from 
dealing with those great evils while waiting for a scheme, 
dependent on so many different Provinces, and that might 
be postponed for many years to come. When, therefore,, 
the Government was formed, it was upon the express un- 
derstanding that the constitutional difficulties of Canada 
should be met immediately — that a measure for that pur- 
pose should be submitted to Parliament at its first session 
—and that in the meantime we should strive with all our 
energies to ascertain whether or not a just and satisfactory 
arrangement for the union of all the British American 
Provinces could be effected, so that we might present it 
at the coming session of Parliament in lieu of the lesser 
scheme. And, sir, the best proof that could be given of 
the zeal with which we have executed our work is to be 
found in the assemblage before you to-day of gentlemen 
from all sections of the British American Provinces — gen- 
tlemen representing all the different political parties of 
their several sections. I had proposed to enter at some 
length into the details of the great scheme of union which 
has been elaborated by the Conference, but time is passing 
swiftly, and it is obvious that to our friends from the 
Maritime Provinces belongs the speaking on such an 
occasion as this. My colleague, Mr. G-alt, and myself, you 
have all the time with you, but our friends from the Lower 
Provinces you may not have another opportunity of hear- 
ing until the union has been consummated — an event 
which, let us fondly hope, is not far distant. (Cheers.) 
However, as briefly as I can I shall endeavor to glance at 
our proceedings of the last few weeks, so as to convey at 
least a general idea of the scheme which has been unani- 



188 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

mously adopted by the Conference. Every one is aware 
that at the very time the present Government was formed 
a conference of delegates from the Maritime Provinces was 
about to be held, for the purpose of considering the pro- 
priety of uniting Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince 
Edward Island under one Government. Instantly we 
opened communications with the Governments of these 
Provinces, asking to be permitted to send representatives 
to their Conference — and in the kindest and most prompt 
manner they sent us a hearty welcome to their meeting. 
We arrived at Charlottetown on the 1st September, and 
most kindly and hospitably were We received. We were 
invited to take seats in the Conference and to address its 
members, and we at once proceeded to open up to them 
the object of our mission. What we said to them was 
this — "We in Canada have had serious sectional differ- 
ences ; but at last we have agreed to a settlement of our 
troubles on a basis just and equitable to all sections of 
our country ; we are about to frame a new constitution, 
which will be acceptable to the great mass of our people ; 
and it has occurred to us, on hearing that you too were 
considering a change of your constitution, whether it would 
not be well for us all to sit down together, and consider 
how far it would be for the welfare and good government 
of our Provinces were we to unite them all under one sys- 
tem of government." Well, Sir, we did sit down together 
— we discussed the whole subject in all its bearings — we 
looked at it from every point of view — and after eight or 
ten days' deliberation we came to the unanimous conclu- 
sion that if the details could be settled upon a basis just 
to all, it would be for the advantage of the whole of these 
Provinces that we should be united. (Loud cheers.) Per- 
haps I should state that we from Canada were not content 
with mere argument in coming to this conclusion — for we 
passed through a large portion of the Lower Provinces, 
and saw with our own eyes the fairness of the land. Our 
first visit was to the beautiful Island of Prince Edward, 
and I think my friend Mr. Palmer did no more than jus- 
tice in What he said of his Island home — for a more 
delightful spot, a spot more likely to become ere long 
the Isle of Wight of the American continent, it were im- 
possible to find. (Cheers.) And assuredly these Provinces 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 189 

will not be long united before the health and pleasure- 
seeking portion of our people will be finding their way in 
thousands annually to her shores. (Cheers.) From Char- 
lottetown we proceeded by steamer to Pictou — the chief 
shipping-port of the great Nova Scotia coal-beds. We 
examined the works of one company, conducted on a very 
extensive scale. Under the able management of Mr. Scott, 
the products of that one mine had, we were assured, in the 
short space of five years, been increased from 150 tons per 
day to the vast quantity of 2,000 tons per day. (Hear, 
hear.) We found lying at the wharves of Pictou not 
fewer than from 60 to 80 vessels taking in coal ; and we 
were told that frequently not fewer than 100 coal vessels 
were waiting for cargoes in the harbor. Let it be remem- 
bered that this is a trade which has only begun to be 
efficiently developed, and that from Pictou is shipped off 
the products of but a small portion of the vast coal district 
of Nova Scotia. From Pictou we passed on for about 
forty miles through a picturesque agricultural country to 
the town of Truro. There we found iron claimed to be 
equal to the best Swedish iron, and works established by 
an English company for the manufacture of steel, turning 
out, as we were assured, not less than 15,000 tons per 
annum of excellent steel. We were told that this valuable 
iron ore extends over a very large section of the country, 
and I believe that the geological surveys that have been 
made prove the accuracy of the statement. From Truro 
a rapid ride over the rail brought us to the gold country, 
and we were afforded ample opportunity of examining the 
working of the gold mines. The general impression of 
this branch of industry is that it is a species of gambling 
— that the gold-seekers dig up sand, pass it through a 
sieve, get little or nothing for their labor for many days 
together, but some lucky day make a hit and realize a for- 
tune. But very different from this are the gold mines of 
Nova Scotia. The precious ore is obtained regularly and 
certainly by patient and persistent labor. We found 200 
persons employed at the mines we visited, getting at that 
time $8 a week, the whole weekly expenses being $1,600, 
and in 14 successive weeks the product of the works had 
been not less than $3000 a week, and sometimes consider- 
ably more. We were assured by the intelligent superin- 



190 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

tendent that the gold bearing region extends over an im- 
mense tract of country— that he had been to many of the 
other gold works, and while some of them might be more 
and others less productive than his own, still he was satis- 
fied that, properly worked, the whole of them might be 
made to give an ample return for the capital and labor 
invested. We thus found Nova Scotia to be a land of 
coal, of iron, and of gold. We saw these great sources of 
wealth in practical development, all within the brief space 
of twenty-four hours — and when we couple with these the 
exhaustless fishing resources of that country, and its ship- 
building industry, I think my friend Mr. McCully was 
not far astray in suggesting that if Nova Scotia comes in- 
to the union she will not by any means come in empty- 
handed. (Cheers.) We proceeded next to Halifax, a 
most thriving dty, and one of the first harbors of the 
world, but on our doings there I need not enlarge, for who 
does not know the enterprise and the hospitality of the 
good citizens of Halifax ? From Nova Scotia we pro- 
ceeded to the Province of New Brunswick, and there we 
saw St. John, a city of which, as British Americans, we 
may all well be proud ; a city showing marked evidences 
of vitality — extensive commerce, large ship-building inter- 
ests, lucrative timber-trade — and a harbor filled with 
ships from all parts of the world. (Cheers.) From St. 
John we passed by the beautiful St. John Kiver to Fred- 
ericton, the political capital of New Brunswick, and we 
were one and all highly delighted with what we saw of the 
resources of the country through which we passed. Want 
of time forbade our visiting the Island of Newfoundland, 
but I am satisfied that no one who has read anything as 
to the resources of that Island will say that my friend Mr. 
Carter has over-stated its capabilities. The fishing and 
the mineral resources are very great — a vast fleet of ships 
is constantly employed in the traffic — and the revenues of 
the Island are very large. But even beyond these, as 
arguments in favor of its coming into the proposed union, 
is this consideration: that Newfoundland is the key to 
the St. Lawrence, and in the event of war would be abso- 
lutely necessary to us for purposes of offence and defence. 
(Hear, hear.) You will therefore understand, Sir, that 
the members of the Canadian Government all returned to 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 191 

this country with a most earnest desire to carry out the 
union of Canada with the Maritime Provinces, if it could 
possibly he accomplished. In this spirit we at once 
sought the aid of his Excellency the Governor General, in 
summoning a formal conference for the mature considera- 
tion of articles of union ; and I cannot mention his Excel- 
lency's name without expressing my sense of the debt the 
country owes him for the earnestness with which he has 
sought to promote this measure and the hearty desire he 
has ever shown to give effect to the wishes of the people 
of this Province. (Cheers.) His Excellenoy, without 
delay, summoned a Conference of representatives from 
the several Governments, and the late sittings at Quebec 
were the result of that summons. For sixteen days we 
were earnestly engaged in considering all the details of 
the scheme ; and though, of course, it was impossible that 
such a body of men could be without differences of opinion, 
looking at matters as we did from different points of view, 
and with different interests to protect — still it is highly 
questionable whether any body of thirty-three gentlemen, 
even if composed of men of the same country and the same 
party, could have sat together for so long a period discus- 
sing matters of such grave importance, with more entire 
harmony and more thorough good-will and respect than 
prevailed throughout the whole of our deliberations. 
(Cheers.) The various details of the Confederation scheme 
were brought up for consideration by the Conference in 
the form of resolutions. These resolutions were separately 
discussed, amended, and adopted ; and as finally adopted 
by the unanimous consent of the whole Conference they 
now stand on record. (Cheers.) The precise course here- 
after to be adopted has not yet been finally settled, but the 
first step in any case is to submit the results of our official 
deliberations to the Imperial Government. The next step 
that will probably be taken is to submit the scheme to the 
Legislatures of the different Provinces for their approval, 
and in the interim to address Her Majesty and the two 
Houses of Parliament, praying for an Act of the Imperial 
Legislature to give effect to the resolutions of the Confer- 
ence, which Act will be and remain the foundation of our 
political system — the Constitution under which the new 
Confederation will be brought into existence. Sir, it ought 



192 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 

ever to be borne in mind, that when we came together to 
consider the details of the new constitution we were about 
to frame there were very many interests to be considered. 
In the first place, we had to consider that this country is 
of immense extent, presenting a vast variety of interestSj 
great and small, for which it would be exceedingly diffi- 
cult for any one body of men to legislate. And in the 
second place, even had it been desirable to govern so vast 
a country by one Executive and Legislature, it would 
have been impossible to carry it, as our Lower Canadian 
fellow-subjects would never have consented to it. As the 
only practicable scheme, therefore, and as in my humble 
opinion the best scheme, we adopted the plan of constitut- 
ing a general Administration and general Legislature, to 
which should be committed matters common to all the 
Provinces, and local Governments and Legislatures for 
the several sections, to which should be committed mat- 
ters peculiar to their several localities. I know there are 
those who say— " Oh ! we do not like a federal union, we 
want a legislative union which will bring us all under one 
legislature and executive." But setting aside the fact 
that this could not have been carried had it been ever so 
desirable, I do think the sectional jealousies and discords 
that have so long distracted Canada should stand out as a 
warning to us, and that we should diligently steer clear in 
the larger federation of whatever has tended to mar the 
harmony of our present union. And in this view I am 
persuaded that, by committing all purely local matters 
to local control, we will secure the peace and permanence 
of the new Confederation much more effectually than 
could possibly have been hoped for from a Legislative 
Union. I am sure it is unnecessary to say that the 
Governor-General of the United Provinces is to be 
appointed, as heretofore, by the Crown. The duration of 
Parliament will be limited to five years, and of course it 
will be composed of two branches — a Legislative Council 
appointed by the Government of the day on the principle 
of equality of the sections, and a House of Commons, in 
which we are to obtain that so long desired, so long earn- 
estly contended for reform — Representation by Population. 
(Great cheering.) Objections will no doubt be urged 
against the manner in which the Upper House is to be 



UNION OF THE BBITISH PROVINCES. 193 

constituted, especially by those who would prefer that 
the members of that body should be elected rather than 
appointed. But I do confess, Sir, that in my opinion an 
appointed Upper House and an elected Lower House 
would be much more in harmony with the spirit of the 
British Parliamentary system than two elected bodies. 
(Cheers.) I was one of those who, at the time the change 
was made from an appointed House to an elected House, 
resisted the innovation. Not because I was at all afraid 
of popular influence, but because I felt that while the 
Lower House controlled the Government of the day, and 
the Government of the day appointed the members of the 
Upper House, the people had full and efficient control 
over the public affairs of the country. But I am free to 
admit this, and I say it with the greatest pleasure — that 
the apprehension I and others entertained of a collision 
between the two elective bodies, and a dead-lock ensuing, 
has not been realised. I am bound to say that under the 
operation of the elective principle, we have had a body of 
men sent to the Upper House who would do honor to any 
Legislature in the world, and who have worked with a 
degree of harmony and a desire to benefit the country 
which have been really admirable. But we cannot forget 
that when a new power first passes into the hands of the 
people, great sensitiveness and care are exhibited in acting 
upon it — much more than when the new power has lost 
its freshness, and its exercise sinks down into a thing of 
every day wont. The Elective Upper House has not long 
existed in Canada. Besides, when the elected Councillors 
first took their seats, they found already in the Chamber 
a large number of old, appointed members, who, no doubt, 
exerted a certain degree of influence over their proceed- 
ings ; and the question, I think, fairly presents itself 
whether, when the elective system had gone on for a num- 
ber of years, and the appointed members had all disap- 
peared, two elective chambers, both representing the 
people, and both claiming to have control over the public 
finances, would act together with the harmony necessary 
to the right working of Parliamentary Government. (Hear, 
hear.) And there is still another objection to elective 
Councillors. The electoral divisions are necessarily of 
enormous extent — some of them 100 miles long by 60 
15 



194 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

wide — so large that the candidates have great difficulty in 
obtaining personal access to the electors, and the expense 
of election is so great as to banish from the House all who 
are not able to pay very large sums for the possession of a 
seat. From all these considerations, it did appear to me 
when our friends of Lower Canada, who were most inter- 
ested in the constitution of the Upper Chamber, desired 
to have the members appointed by the Crown, that acting 
in the interest of Upper Canada it was my duty to consent. 
The Chamber is to consist of 76 members, distributed as 
follows : — 

Upper Canada ' 24 

Lower Canada 24 

Nova Scotia 10 

New Brunswick 10 

Newfoundland 4 

Prince Edward Island 4 

Total 76 

I am told that there are persons who object to Lower 
Canada, with so much smaller a population, receiving 
equal representation with Upper Canada in the Upper 
House ; but a little reflection will, I am persuaded, 
remove all objections on this score. I am one of those 
who have always stood firmly up for the rights of the 
Western section of the Province. But now that our 
rights are admitted — now that we are seeking a compro- 
mise measure for the final settlement of all our troubles — 
now that we are seeking to build up a new constitution 
that will be just to all — I for one am ready to cast aside 
old feelings of hostility, and to consider not only what will 
be abstractly just, but what will carry with it the hearty 
sympathy and assent of all the parties to the new compact, 
and lay the foundations of our new fabric deep and per- 
manent. I could not but feel that having obtained for 
Upper Canada that just preponderance in the Lower 
Chamber for which we have so long contended, we ought 
to allow the gentlemen from Lower Canada, so long as no 
flagrant injustice was done, to frame the constitution of 
the other Chamber very much as they chose. In the 
view taken of this matter by the Lower Canadians, all our 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 195 

friends from the Maritime Provinces entirely agreed. The 
House of Commons, as I have said, is to be constituted on 
the basis of Kepresentation by Population. It is to be 
composed at first of 194 members, distributed as follows : — 

Upper Canada 82 

Lower Canada 65 

Nova Scotia 19 

New Brunswick 15. 

Newfoundland 8 

Prince Edward Island 5 

Total 194 

After each decennial census the sectional representation is 
to be re-adjusted according to population — and for this 
purpose Lower Canada is always to have 65 members, and 
the other sections are to receive the exact number of 
members to which they will be severally entitled in the 
same ratio of representation to population as Lower 
Canada will enjoy by having 65 members. Thus the 
representation will be strictly based on population — the 
disparity of population between the several sections will 
be accurately provided for every ten years — but the num- 
ber of members in the House will not be much increased. 
I come now, Sir, to the powers and duties proposed to 
be assigned to the General Government. It is to have 
control over all questions of trade and commerce ; all 
questions of currency, finance and coinage; all questions 
of navigation and shipping, and the fisheries ; all ques- 
tions of defence and militia, all matters connected with 
the postal service, and all questions affecting the criminal 
law. To it will belong the imposition of customs and 
excise duties, and all other modes of taxation — the con- 
struction of great public works of common benefit to all 
the Provinces — and the incorporation of Telegraph, 
Steamship, and Kail way Companies. It will also have 
control of Banks and Savings Banks, Bills of Exchange 
and Promissory Notes, Interest and Legal Tenders, Bank- 
ruptcy and Insolvency, Copyright and Patents of Inven- 
tion, Naturalization and Aliens, Marriage and Divorce, 
Immigration and Quarantine, Weights and Measures, 
Indians and Indian Lands, the Census, and generally all 



196 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

matters of a general character not specially assigned to 
the local governments. These are the duties proposed to 
be assigned to the General Government. 

And now one word as to the constitution and powers of 
the local governments. It is propose i that each Province 
shall be presided over by -a Lieutenant Governor, who 
will be advised by the heads of the various public depart- 
ments. As to the constitution of the local legislatures w e 
found there was so much difference of opinion on the 
subject — some of the Provinces desiring to retain their 
present institutions while we in Canada must necessarily 
establish new ones, that we thought it the wisest plan to 
leave the constitution of the local legislatures to the exist- 
ing Parliaments of the different sections. The powers 
and duties of the local governments have been clearly 
defined by the Conference. They are to have the power 
of imposing direct taxation — the sale and management of 
the public lands in their respective sections — the mainte- 
nance and management of Prisons, Hospitals. Asylums, 
and charitable institutions — the construction of local 
works — the promotion of agriculture — and the imposition 
of shop, saloon, tavern, and auction licenses. The control 
of all the National Schools and school property is to be 
vested in the local governments ; and they are to have 
authority over Municipal Corporations, and all municipal 
matters. They are also to have power to make laws in 
all matters affecting property and civil rights, and for the 
administration of .justice. And generally, while on the 
one hand, as we have already seen, all matters of a general 
character and common to all the Provinces are to be com- 
mitted to the general government ; so, on the other hand, 
all matters of a local character will be committed to the 
local governments. The separate powers to be exercised 
by each will be clearly defined in the Constitution Act 
to be passed by the British Parliament, so that there will 
be no danger of the two bodies coming into collision In 
thus defining the functions of the general and local gov- 
ernments, it will, no doubt, be objected that we have 
committed certain matters of an important character to the 
local bodies which he people of Upper Canada would 
have been well content to have seen left to the general 
government. But if the details of the scheme are closely 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 197 

examined, it will be seen that we have given nothing to 
the local bodies which did not necessarily belong to the 
localities, except education and the rights of property, and 
the civil law, which we were compelled to leave to the local 
governments, in order to afford that protection which the 
Lower Canadians claim for their language and their laws, 
and their peculiar institutions. I am sure we are all glad 
that they should have that security. I am sure, notwith- 
standing all that may have been said to the contrary, that 
none of us have had any desire to interfere with the mere 
local institutions of our fellow-subjects of Lower Canada — 
and that it will be held as a sufficient answer to all objec- 
tors that the arrangement has been made in a spirit of 
justice to Lower Canada, and with the view of securing 
hereafter that harmony and accord which are so desirable 
in the future government of the country. (Cheers.) 

There is one point to which I am desirous of balling 
particular attention. I refer to the fact that in framing 
our constitution we have carefully avoided what has 
proved a great evil in the United States, and that is the 
acknowledgment of an inherent sovereign power in the 
separate States, causing a collision of authority between 
the general and State governments, which, in times of 
trial like the present, has been found to interfere gravely 
with the efficient administration of public affairs. In the 
government to be formed under this new constitution, I 
believe it will be found we have avoided that difficulty. 
For, while we have committed to the local governments 
all that necessarily and properly belongs to the localities, 
we have reserved for the general government all those 
powers which will enable the legislative and administra- 
tive proceedings of the central authority to be carried out 
with a firm hand. With this view we have provided that 
the whole of the Judges throughout the Confederation — 
those of the County Courts as well as of the Superior 
Courts — are to be appointed and paid by the general gov- 
ernment. We have also provided that the general Parlia- 
ment may constitute a General Appeal Court, to which an 
appeal will- lie from the decisions of; all the Provincial 
Courts. We have likewise provided that the general 
government shall be specially charged with the perform- 
ance of all obligations of the Provinces, as part of the 



198 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

British Empire, to foreign countries. I may mention 
also that the Lieutenant Governors of the different 
sections are to be appointed by the general government, 
and that the power of disallowing all Bills passed by the 
local legislatures is to be vested in the Governor General 
in Council. In this way we will have a complete chain 
of authority, extending down from Her Majesty the Queen 
to the basis of our political fabric. The Queen will appoint 
the Governor General. The Governor General in Council 
will appoint the Lieutenant Governors. And the Lieuten- 
ant Governors will be advised by Heads of Departments 
responsible to the people. Thus we will have the general 
government working in harmony with the local Executives 
and in hearty accord with popular sentiment as expressed 
through the people's representatives. (Cheers.) A very im- 
portant subject is that relating to the finances of the Feder- 
ation ; but as my hon. friend, Mr. Gait, is about to address 
you, I will leave this branch of the subject to him. (Cries 
of "Go on!") I may briefly, however, say this, that all 
the debts and assets of the different Provinces are to be 
assumed by the general government. It has been found 
that, with the exception of Newfoundland and Prince 
Edward Island, the debts of the several Provinces are 
much the same in proportion to their population. New- 
foundland and Prince Edward Island have, however, 
scarcely any debt at all, and we found a difficulty in 
associating Provinces which were free from debt with 
those that owed large public obligations. But we fell 
upon this plan. We struck an average of the debts of the 
several Provinces — and we agreed that those whose debts 
exceeded the average should pay interest at five per cent, 
annually into the public exchequer, while those whose 
debts were below the average should receive interest in like 
manner from the public chest — a basis j ust to all. Then it 
was found that while some of the Provinces could main- 
tain their local governments without money from the 
public chest, there were other Provinces not accustomed 
to direct taxation, and in order to meet their views, we 
were compelled to adopt a compromise. I hope the day 
is not far distant when we may be able to adopt direct 
taxation to a much greater extent than we have yet seen 
in Canada — but at present it was very clear that Confe- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 199 

deration could not be carried out unless we conceded this 
point. We agreed to compromise. We made the 
Finance Minister of each section go carefully over the 
public expenditures of his Province, and cut down every 
item to the lowest point practicable, and we found that 
the smallest sum for which the machinery of govern me,ht 
in the Provinces could he carried on was s2, 633,000. 
Tins sum is to be distributed annually as a full and final 
settlement for local purposes in the Provinces, and I am 
happy to say it is to be distributed on the basis of popula- 
tion. As our population in Upper Canada is very large, 
of course we get a handsome share. The principle is so 
just that I do not see how any one can reasonably object 
to it ; and as the sum distributed is not to increase, a very 
few years of progress will make it of comparative unim- 
portance. There is a very pleasing feature in the finance 
question. A Confederation of five states is about to be 
formed, and it is to the credit of the whole that not one of 
them has ever been unable to meet its obligations to the 
day — (cheers) — and still further, that the finances of all 
are now in such a satisfactory condition that every one of 
them has a large surplus of revenue over expenditure for 
the current year. (Cheers.) 

I have thus, Mr. Mayor, as briefly as possible traced 
the outlines of the new constitution which has received 
the approval of the delegates from the several Provinces. 
But 1 cannot conclude without referring to some other 
things which have received the grave attention of the 
Conference. And the first point to which I desire to call 
attention is the fact that the delegates have unanimously 
resolved that the United Provinces of British America 
shall be placed at the earliest moment in a thorough state 
of defence. (Cheers.) I am not one of those who con- 
ceive that Canada stands in danger of attack from our 
neighbors across the lines. I cannot doubt that they have 
plenty of work already on their hands without rushing on 
fresh embroilments — and I confess that, notwithstanding 
the fierce ebullitions of the American press. 1 have faith 
in the good sense and good feeling of our neighbors to 
believe that the idea of an unprovoked aggression on the 
soil of Canada never seriously entered the minds of any 
large number of the inhabitants of the Northern States. 



200 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

But come war when it may, I am sure I speak the senti- 
ments of every man in Upper Canada when I say that the 
first hostile foot placed upon our shores would be the sig- 
nal and the summons for every man capable of bearing 
arms to meet the enemy — (enthusiastic cheering)— and 
that the people of Canada would show, in the hour of 
trial, that that spirit which was manifested in 1812 has 
not died in 1864. (Kenewed cheers.) And, while on this 
point of defence, I have one word to say on a matter 
which I know has made a deep impression throughout 
Canada. Sir, no man in Canada appreciates more than I 
do the generous consideration that has ever been shown 
by the mother country towards this Province. But I 
desire to enter a firm protest against the manner in which 
of late our duty has been laid down for us, chapter and 
verse, by gentlemen three thousand miles off, who know 
very little of our circumstances, and yet venture to tell us 
the exact number of men we are to drill and the time we 
are to drill them. Sir, I venture to assert that the lan- 
guage recently used towards this Province is neither just, 
nor yet calculated to promote a desirable end. This Pro- 
vince, like the other colonies of the British empire, was 
founded on a compact entered into between the Crown 
and the people ; an assurance was virtually given to those 
who emigrated to this Province that they should be pro- 
tected by all the strength of British arms. And nobly 
has Great Britain fulfilled that promise. Never has she 
hesitated for a moment to expend her blood and treasure 
in defending her Colonial Empire. (Cheers.) I hold 
that Great Britain is bound to fulfil on her part the con- 
ditions on which the settlement of this and other colonies 
took place, and to continue to aid us until we have grown 
to that degree of maturity and strength which will fairly 
demand at our hands a reconsideration of the terms of the 
contract. If I am asked whether Canada, united with the 
Lower Provinces, is able to take upon herself a larger 
share of the burden of defence than she has heretofore 
borne, I answer without hesitation — undoubtedly " yes." 
(Cheers.) It were utterly unreasonable to expect that to 
these colonies the people of England should much longer 
send armies and navies for their defence, whilst we conti- 
nued developing the resources of our country, and accumu- 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE*. 201 

lating wealth untaxed for the appliances of war. But 
what I do say is this, that when the time arrives that a 
colony has outgrown the conditions of her first settlement, 
and when she is fairly bound to assume new and higher 
relations to the mother country in the matter of defence, it 
is only right that the whole subject should be discussed in 
a candid and reasonable spirit. And I am free to ex- 
press my opinion that had the Canadian people been invited 
frankly to enter on a discussion of the charjged relations in 
matters of defence they ought to occupy to Great Britain , 
the demand would have been responded to readily and 
heartily. (Cheers.) And it is only due to the present 
Colonial Minister, Mr. Cardwell, to say that this is the 
spirit in which he seems desirous of approaching the ques- 
tion ; and that such is the spirit in which I believe 
negotiations hereafter will be carried on between these 
colonies and the Parent State. It is not to be concealed 
that we in Canada are deeply interested in this whole 
question of Colonial defence being thoroughly discussed 
and settled. We all heartily desire to perpetuate our 
connection with Great Britain; but it is quite evident 
that a feeling is growing up in England which may prove 
dangerous to that good feeling and attachment, unless the 
duties and responsibilities mutually due are clearly under- 
stood. And there is another though a much inferior 
motive. The attacks which have been made upon us have 
created the impression not only in England, Ireland and 
Scotland, but in the United States, and in other parts of 
the world, that these Provinces are in a naturally weak 
and feeble state — that they are, in point of fact, almost inde- 
fensible. Such an impression interferes more than any 
one can estimate with the permanent prosperity of our 
country ; it stops immigration to our shores, it depreciates 
our public securities, and prevents the investment of capi- 
tal in new enterprises, however productive they may be. 
If, then, we would do away with this false impression, so 
unjustly created, and place ourselves on a firm and secure 
footing in the eyes of the world, our course must be to put 
our country in such a position of defence that we may 
fearlessly look our enemies in the face. (Cheers.) 
Holding these views, and knowing that they are the view* 
of the great mass of the people of this country, it is a 



202 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

pleasure for me to be able to state, and I am sure it will 
be a pleasure to all present to be informed, that the Con- 
ference at Quebec did not separate before entering into a 
pledge to put the military and naval defences of the 
United Provinces in the most complete and satisfactory 
position. (Cheers.) Nor let me omit to say, that in 
coming to this decision, there is no Minister of the Crown 
sitting at these tables who would not be prepared to rise 
now and express his conviction, that notwithstanding all 
that has come and gone — notwithstanding all the diatribes 
of the newspaper press of England, the British Government 
is prepared now as ever to do its duty by these colonies, 
and to send us their armies and their navy at any moment 
to aid us in our defence. (Cheers.) 

Mr. Mayor, I now approach a rather delicate question — 
delicate, that is to say, as regards the people of the West. 
We have agreed — I announce it frankly — to build the 
Intercolonial Kailway. (Cheers and laughter.) I have 
not been in favor of that scheme joer se, situated as we 
have been. But I have at the same time been quite wil- 
ling to admit — and I repeat it heartily to-day — that 
without the Intercolonial Kailway there could be no union 
of these Provinces — (cheers) — and after a careful consider- 
ation of the question in all its bearings, and after counting 
the full cost, I am prepared to advocate the building of 
that road, in order to accomplish the great objects we 
have in view in the scheme of Confederation. (Cheers.) 
It may, however, be some comfort for my friends to know 
that we have a prospect of getting the road built upon 
terms much more reasonable than we had ever hoped to 
obtain. I shall not tell you of the tempting offers that 
have been made, because I have had some experi ace that 
what is promised in such offers is not always realized in 
the end. (Laughter.) In agreeing to build the Interco- 
lonial Railway, it should also be stated that due regard 
was had to the interests of the West. I am happy to be 
able to say that with the unanimous consent of the mem- 
bers of the Conference, wo have resolved on the extension 
of our canal system. (Cheers.) Still further, I think it 
well to state that while we have sought Confederation 
with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and 
Prince Edward Island, we have not been neglectful of the 






UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 203 

Far West, but we have made it a condition of Union that 
the great North-west may come into the Federation on 
equitable terms at any time it pleases, and that British 
Columbia and Vancouver Island may also be incorporated 
with us. (Hear, hear.) We have likewise made it a 
condition that so soon as the state of the finances will per- 
mit communication is to be opened up from Western 
Canada to the North-west territory. (Hear, hear.) 

There is another little announcement which will not be 
without its interest to you, Mr. Mayor. The decision was 
unanimously arrived at by the delegates that the old and 
respectable city of Toronto should be the future capital of 
the Province of Upper Canada. (Cheers.) On the 
whole, Sir, when we look at the probable results of this 
Union. I think there is no man, from one end of the Pro- 
vinces to the other, who ought not to give it his most 
hearty approbation. (Cheers.) But I would repeat what 
has been so well said by Mr. McCully, that there is one 
danger we have yet to fear. Let not gentlemen think we 
are past all danger. W T e have still to meet the Legisla- 
tures of the different Provinces ; we have to encounter the 
prejudices of the people of the different Provinces ; and 
it requires the greatest harmony of action in order to obtain 
a favorable result. (Hear, hear.) Therefore I would say 
with my hon. friend, Mr. McCully, if there is one thing 
more than another necessary at this moment, it is that we 
should banish our party discords — that we should for- 
get for the moment that we were at one time arrayed 
against each other ; and whatever we may do after union 
is accomplished, let us forget until it is obtained our feuds 
and differences, in securing to the country the great boon 
which this Confederation promises to bring about. 
(Cheers.) Looking at the scheme in its entirety, I cannot 
help feeling this, in replying to the toast you have so 
kindly received, that if the present Administration shall 
succeed in completing the great work it has begun, and 
of bringing into operation the political system which has 
been foreshadowed, under the protecting rule of the mother 
country, we shall all have great reason to rejoice that we 
had the honor of being at such a time the advisers of the 
Crown. [Mr. Brown resumed his seat amidst loud and 
long continued cheering.] 



204 ITNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES: 

Hon. A. T. G-alt, on rising, was received with loud 
cheers. He said — Certainly the kindness with which he 
had been received was quite .overpowering. He had not 
the same claims on their consideration as his respected 
friend and colleague, Mr. Brown, who had addressed them 
in his usual and forcible way. He might be said to 
represent in a certain degree another portion of Canada, 
and in that light it was exceedingly gratifying to him to 
be welcomed, because though this measure of Union was, 
as far as Upper and Lower Canada were concerned, a 
measure of disunion, he trusted that the good feeling 
which had actuated us in the past would be carried for- 
ward into the future ; and that while we might have left 
local matters to local legislatures, we still might feel with 
regard to the great common interests of all that we were 
a united people, that it was not Canada which was to be 
divided but British North America which was to become 
united. (Cheers.) He felt, perhaps, more than any 
other person present, that from other lips than his own 
should have come the explanations with regard to Lower 
Canada. He would take this opportunity of. saying that 
there was no man in the whole length and breadth of 
British North America who had shown a greater degree 
of self-sacrifice than his friend Mr. Cartier. That gentle- 
man had shown a degree of statesmanship, a degree of 
self-sacrifice, which would, he [Mr. Gait] thought, hand 
down his name into the future with honor equal to that 
of his illustrious progenitor, Jacques Cartier ; that while 
the one was known as the discoverer of Canada, the other 
will be known as the one who felt that the interests of all 
were common, and recognized the fact. There was no 
doubt, so far as Lower Canada was concerned, the a good 
deal of feeling existed with regard to the protection of 
their local interests, but he thought the audience by this 
time understood that while provision had been made in 
the new constitution for the protection of those interests, 
they would all have desired to effect a legislative union 
had it been possible. TJioy would have desired to see a 
central government extending its aegis over all interests. 
But there were difficulties which rendered this impossible, 
and in meeting these difficulties he trusted that the mea- 
sure which would be submitted to the people, to the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES, 205 

Imperial Parliament, and to the Provincial Parliaments, 
would be found to be one which protected local interests, 
while national interests had been reserved for one central 
power, which he hoped would manage them in a way to 
do honor to the race from which we had sprung. (Cheers.) 
He would have liked, had time permitted, to say a fe'w 
words with reference to those subjects to which Mr. Brown 
had alluded, but really he went into the matter so fully 
that he (Mr. Gait) felt that he would be trespassing on 
the patience of the audience should he venture to say 
more than a few words in expressing his own gratitude for 
the way in which they had drank the toast of the Admin- 
istration. He fully endorsed the words of Mr. Brown, 
that the announcements made here to-night quite justified 
the coalition which had been effected. He thought when 
they were able to present a constitution — not a small affair 
for the settlement .of local difficulties, but a project for the 
union with communities of the wealth, resources and 
intelligence of the Lower Provinces, that they would be 
acquitted in the sight of all of anything they had done 
with regard to the formation of the Government. (Cheers.) 
He was' glad to have heard Mr. Brown say that the Inter- 
colonial Railway ought to be built, because it was an 
announcement which, coupled with other explanations, he 
trusted would give them the support of the people of 
Canada in regard to the future measures which might flow 
from this. It meant not merely connection with the 
mother country — the measure went hand in hand with 
the opening up of the North-west Territory, and the one 
and the other were equally admitted to be the policy of 
the Confederate Government, He was glad we had a 
policy, glacl that we were growing out of the littleness of 
colonial politics, and that we were preparing for the 
responsibilities which would fall upon us, whether wel- 
come or not — the responsibilities of a national existence. 
He concurred with every word Mr. Brown had said with 
reference to the mother country. He believed that the 
people of Canada were prepared to do their duty, and if 
he did not believe it this would be the last moment he 
(Mr. Gait) would venture to say that he represented them, 
^"o one who desired to do his duty could fail to recognize 
the fact that we were in the presence of a great power, 



206 UNION OF THE BKITISH PROVINCES. 

and that we ought to unite our resources and be prepared 
for whatever there might be in the future in store for us. 
And he welcomed the declarations made by the Govern- 
ments of the different Provinces, as showing their willing- 
ness to do their part in the common cause. It was 
cerrtainly a most remarkable circumstance that upon this 
occasion they had seen the Provinces of New Brunswick 
and Nova Scotia entrusting the advocacy of this great 
measure to the leaders of the Opposition. What might 
we not hope when personal ambition was thus laid aside, 
when all were ready thus to sacrifice to the common good. 
(Loud applause.) 

The health of the Mayor having then been proposed 
and duly acknowledged by His Worship, three cheers 
were given for the Queen, and the company dispersed. 



INSPECTION OF THE VOLUNTEERS. 

On the evening of the 3rd of November, shortly after 
seven o'clock, there was a very large assemblage of the 
Toronto Volunteers in their new Drill Shed in that city. 
They assembled in honor of the Delegates, and were 
inspected by Mayor General Napier, K.C.B , then in 
Toronto. The building was brilliantly illuminated, and 
otherwise was well prepared for the reception of the 
visitors. There were, it was supposed, fully five thousand 
persons present on this occasion. The General and the 
Delegates entered the building about half-past seven 
o'clock, and having taken their seats on the dais erected 
for their accommodation, the Volunteers were commanded 
to "fall in," which they did in excellent military style. 
General Napier, accompanied by his aides-de-camp, Cap- 
tain Hall and Mr. Bell, also by the Commandant, Col. G. 
T. Denison, Brigade Majors Denison and Dennis — march- 
ed round the force and minutely inspected the men. This 
duty being performed, the inspecting party returned, 
when the Brigade formed into open column in front, and 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 207 

marched past the saluting point. The Bands of the 
" Queens Own" and " 10th Koyals" played spirit-stirring 
airs during the inspection ; and when the order was given 
for the officers and colours to " come to the front to salute 
the General/' which was done, that gallant officer expressed 
his great pleasure at the military appearance of the Volun^ 
teers there assembled, and at the efficient manner in 
which they had gone through the various evolutions in so 
confined a space. He said he should have liked to have 
inspected them in the open plains and in broad daylight, 
where he was sure they would have given him great satis- 
faction. He thanked them for their attendance, and as it 
was getting late he would not detain them longer, but 
would entrust the commanding officers to express to their 
men his satisfaction at their appearance. 

Colonel Gray, Chairman of the Convention of Mari- 
time Delegates, having expressed a wish to address a few 
words to the Volunteers, they were drawn up in close 
order, forming three sides of a square, with the General 
and party in the centre. 

Colonel Gray said that, on behalf of his colleagues the 
Delegates, he had been desired to address a few words to 
them, and in doing so he must express his great pleasure 
at witnessing them at drill to-night. It was, he said, very 
common for people to decry the volunteer movement, and 
even the fair sex were accustomed to look down upon the 
volunteers, when comparing them with their more favored 
brethren of the regular army ; but he (Col. Gray) was a 
volunteer, and he did not think that those who decried the 
volunteers were serious in thus throwing cold water upon 
the movement. He was convinced that the volunteers 
were as much to be praised and encouraged as the mem- 
bers of the Eoyal Service. He himself had at one time 
belonged to that service, and he never looked slightingly 
upon the volunteer movement. He had mingled as a 
civilian a great deal with the soldiers of the Koyal army, 
and he was happy to say that no feeling of animosity or 



208 UNION Or THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

slight was entertained by them towards the volunteers. 
A short time since, when there was an appearance that 
the services of the volunteers would have been required to 
assist the regulars, he was proud to learn that the volun- 
teers of Canada sprung at once to arms to defend their 
hearths and homes from the attacks of the invader. 
(Cheers.) He did not believe that any one from his heart 
slighted the volunteer movement, but the cry was got up 
by the faint-hearted and craven to cover the disgrace of 
their remaining in the rear whilst their more manly com- 
panions went to the front. (Cheers.) Who is at present 
in command of the volunteer force in England ? He was 
a man who had nobly fought in many a field of battle, 
and was son-in-law to an officer — he was going to say 
next only to Wellington, but he was equal to that able 
commander. He alluded to Col. McMurdo, son-in-law of 
Sir Charles Napier, who had been placed in command of 
the volunteer force of England, and who had ere this 
proved that he could command and was not afraid to lead 
anywhere. This noble officer had now command of 170,- 
000 volunteers, as fine soldiers as could be wished. He 
(Col. Gray) was not in the habit of speaking praise to the 
face of any one, but he could not let this opportunity pass 
without saying a few words about the able General now 
present. He was himself an old comrade of the General's, 
and he knew what stuff he was made of. He could assure 
the volunteers that if there had been any invasion or at- 
tempted invasion of the Canadian soil, General Napier — 
a name at which the enemies of England grow pale — 
would not have been satisfied to wait until the enemy had 
invaded our territory ; he would have met them on the 
borders, and side by side with their brothers in arms, 
would have led the volunteers where imperishable honors 
would have awaited them. They might rest assured they 
had the right kind of leader should the day of trial come. 
Colonel Gray related a circumstance of which he was cog- 
nizant during the time he was serving in the same force 
with the General. A small party of Dragoons, about 80 
or 90 men, with two or three companies of mounted Eifle- 
men under General Napier, when on outpost duty, received 
intelligence that a strong body of the enemy, including 
700 picked warriors, were crossing a plain close at hand — 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 209 

was just at the dawn of day both parties were surprised. 
"Was there any hesitation there, notwithstanding the odds ? 
No ! In one moment " Forward" was the word, and 
onward they went. The result of the day's work was seen 
the following day when the Commander-in-Chief rode 
over the field, and members of his staff counted some four 
hundred and fifty bodies of the slain. He alluded to the 
Maritime Provinces, shewing what a powerful force could 
be found there ready to co-operate in the defence of their 
territories were the Militia properly armed and organized. 
In one Province they could muster 50,000, in another 
30,000, in a third 10,000, and what a good right or left 
would they not form with the aid of Upper and Lower 
Canada ? He assured the Volunteers of Toronto that 
they had men of the right stamp in the Maritime Pro- 
vinces. He would only mention four of the sons of Nova 
Scotia, Williams, Inglis, Welsford and Parker, to shew 
them the sort of men of which these Provinces could fairly 
boast, and to whom could be entrusted the sacred duty of 
protecting the soil on which they stood as freemen proud 
of their birthright. (Cheers.) 

Colonel Gray next addressed a few words to the " Naval 
Brigade," and said there were thirty thousand hardy fellows 
in Newfoundland alone well worthy of the name of the 
first seamen in the world, and who would be proud to give 
the right hand of fellowship side by side with the Naval 
Brigade of Toronto. He concluded by hoping that one 
and all would ever press forward and assist each other as 
brothers, in the name of " our revered and glorious Queen," 
and do all that was possible to maintain that Kingdom to 
which we owed allegiance. (Loud cheers.) 

Three cheers were then given for the Queen ; the bands 
struck up the " National Anthem ;" three cheers for the 
General and the Delegates, when the proceedings broke up. 



THE PUBLIC BALL. 

A Public Ball, unsurpassed for magnificence only by 
that which was given in honor of the visit of the Prince 
of Wales, closed, on the same night as that on which the 
16 



210 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Volunteer Keview took place, the festivities of the grand 
reception given to the Delegates from the Maritime Pro- 
vinces by the people of Toronto. The Ball was held in 
the same place in which the Dejeuner was given ; and it 
is needless to add, that it was as brilliant an entertainment 
as the wealth, beauty, fashion, and high social and public 
positions of the people of the great cities of Western 
Canada could possibly make it ; and indeed all the cities, 
great and small, of this section of the Province seemed to 
be fully represented at this pleasant re-union. 



DEPARTURE FROM TORONTO. 

RECEPTION OF THE DELEGATES AT HAMILTON, ST. CATHERINE'S 
AND CLIFTON, AND VISIT TO NIAGARA FALLS. 

The Manager of the Great Western Railway, Mr. 
8 win yard, having kindly placed a special train at the 
disposal of the Delegation party, they left Toronto on the 
forenoon of the 4th November for an excursion to Niagara 
Falls. The General Manager of the Great Western, the 
Hon. Mr. McMaster, Chairman of the Company, and 
several distinguished persons, accompanied the party. A 
splendid run of a little less than an hour brought the party 
to the Hamilton Station, where the Mayor and members 
of the Corporation of the City, besides many leading citi- 
zens of Hamilton, were in waiting to welcome the Dele- 
gates. The Station was very tastefully decorated with 
evergreens and flags, and the inner apartment was amply 
provided with refreshments. The Mayor read an address 
of welcome, in which the mission of the Delegates was 
warmly eulogised. 

The Hon. Mr. Tilley, of New Brunswick, responded 
to the address. He said he was rejoiced to know that the 
people of Hamilton cordially endorsed the principles of 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 211 

the late Conference, and this sentiment he found to 
increase on proceeding westward from Lower Canada. 
The questions involved were of a grave and important 
nature, involving important advantages to the Lower 
Provinces, and he trusted the labors of the Conference 
would prove acceptable to all. The future was fraught 
with greatness and prosperity, such as these Provinces 
had never before seen. A closer union was necessary to 
the welfare of each and all the British North American 
Provinces. He expressed the thanks of the Delegates for 
the hearty response of Hamilton to the purposes of the 
Conference, for the present greeting, and their regret that 
it should be found necessary to omit from the list of for- 
mal visits one of the most beautiful cities of the West. 

Hon. Isaac Buchanan, President of the Hamilton 
Board of Trade, then presented an address on behalf of its 
members. He said, that in the contemplated Confedera- 
tion great benefits were anticipated for Hamilton in a 
commercial point, the probabilities of a large trade being 
speedily opened with the Lower Provinces, and direct 
water communication with the sea-board. Our city en- 
joyed commercial advantages unsurpassed in its magnifi- 
cent harbor, while the Great Western Railway provided 
an open way to the teeming west, with branches in all 
directions. It was hoped that the labors of so many 
eminent statesmen would ensure great blessings. 

Hon. Mr. Shea, of Newfoundland, replied in a brief 
address. The question of the defences had been previously 
alluded to, and the hon. gentleman believed that the Dele- 
gates would be obliged to adopt some system of defence, 
unless their visit to the Upper Provinces was speedily 
brought to a close. (Great laughter.) The Delegates had 
been charmed with this section of the country, and pleased 
with the characteristics of its people. There were striking 
evidences of the elements of wealth and commercial great- 
ness, and direct communication with the ocean was the 
great requirement ; therein lay mutual benefits to the 
Upper and Lower Provinces. He believed that on the 
establishment of the Confederation speedy measures would 
ensure the completion of the great public works in view. 



212 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

Hamilton and neighboring places would shortly become sea- 
ports. Mr. Shea concluded by returning thanks for the 
greeting of the citizens of Hamilton, and he trusted that all 
her hopes of the benefits of Confederation would be realized. 

Mayor McElroy proposed the health of Her Majesty 
the Queen, which was drunk with loud cheers, and " God 
save the Queen/' was played by the band. 

At St. Catherine's Station, which was also very taste- 
fully decorated, the Delegates were welcomed by the lead- 
ing members of this small but interesting community, and 
an address of welcome, similar in tone and spirit to that 
of the Hamilton address, was read by W. McGiverin, 
Esq., M.P.P. for Lincoln County. 

After reading the address Mr. McGiverin said he 
regretted to state that time and circumstances had pre- 
vented the town and district of St. Catherine's from making 
that display which they would like, in order to show their 
appreciation of the question which the gentlemen from the 
Lower Provinces, with our Government, had been con- 
sidering. But the time of the Delegates, he knew, was 
short, and he must, therefore, accept that as an excuse. 
He regretted that the Mayor was unavoidably absent, in 
court, at Niagara, with several of their leading townsmen, 
who would have been delighted to have made the acquaint- 
ance of the Delegates. He begged to convey to the Dele- 
gates the congratulations of the municipality upon the 
harmony which had characterized their deliberations at 
Quebec, and the result they have arrived at respecting 
one of the most important questions which had ever 
been discussed on this side of the Atlantic. He ten- 
dered his hearty congratulations to them at the man- 
ner in which that result had been arrived at, believing, as 
he did, that the successful accomplishment of the scheme 
would place the United Provinces in a position of pros- 
perity that they could never otherwise hope for. He 
regretted that their short stay would not enable them to 
view one of the prettiest towns in this Province, nor that 
great work, the Welland Canal, (cheers,) connecting the 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 213 

Western lakes with the sea, by an enlargement of which 
the ships of the Lower Provinces would have free access 
to the extreme western boundary of Canada, and be the 
source of further extending and enlarging the prosperity 
of the United Empire, even beyond their most sanguine 
wishes. On the part of the municipality and citizens of 
St. Catherine's he begged to tender the Delegates a hearty 
welcome, and their best wishes for the consummation of 
the project in hand, and hoped they might have a pleasant 
journey home. 

Hon. Mr. Pope, of P. E. Island, who was received with 
much applause, said he had been deputed to return thanks 
on behalf of the Delegates from the Lower Provinces, for 
the kind manner in which they had been received, and 
the very hearty welcome they had met with. The cir- 
cumstances under which the Convention had assembled at 
Quebec — the great subject of a Confederation of the 
British North American Provinces which had engaged 
their attention, and the arguments in support of the con- 
clusions at which the Delegates had arrived, had all been 
very fully stated and discussed in speeches recently delivered 
by the able statesmen of Canada and of the other Pro- 
vinces. Thanks to the noble press of Canada, those 
speeches had been placed in the hands of the people 
throughout the country almost as soon as delivered, and 
had been read simultaneously in Quebec and in Sarnia. 
It was, therefore, not his intention to attempt a recapitu- 
lation of them. He stated that the Maritime Provinces 
had sent their Eepresentatives to the Convention at the 
request of Canada. The people of the Maritime Provinces 
do not seek, by entering the Confederation, to lighten their 
own burdens by placing a portion of them upon the people 
of Canada. A scale of taxation lower than that existing in 
Canada supplied a revenue equal to their necessities. 
But he believed the people of the Maritime Provinces 
desired those advantages which result from Union. Many 
among them are the descendants of American Loyalists. 
and are acquainted to some extent with the progress made 
by the old Colonies on this continent. At the time when 
their grandfathers were born, the British Colonies in 
America were insignificant: their commerce was utterly 



214 UNION OP THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

unknown. When they left the country its export trade 
was greater than was that of England when they were 
born, in the days of Queen Ann. It should not be for- 
gotten that the men, to whom I allude, left that country 
and the homes in which their children were born, and 
emigrated to the ports of the Lower Provinces, because 
they desired to live under Monarchial Institutions and the 
protection of the flag of old England. The hon. gentle- 
man then referred to the great trade of the British Pro- 
vinces before the separation from the mother country, and 
contrasted the clifferent circumstances under which the 
Convention just concluded at Quebec had pursued their 
labors with those under which the British Provinces, which 
formed the nucleus of the great neighbouring Kepublic, 
discussed Confederation. 

The hon. gentleman's speech was frequently cheered, 
and at its conclusion three hearty cheers were given for 
the Delegates. 

After the interchange of other courtesies, the train 
moved off, and the party again delayed at the Clifton 
Station, which was decorated in a style similar to that of 
the others. Mr. Swinyard had here prepared a sumptu- 
ous dinner for his guests, at which speech-making was 
indulged as far as time permitted. 

The Hon. Mr. Dickey, of JS"ova Scotia, proposed the 
health of the General Manager of the Great Western. In 
the course of his brief but eloquent remarks, he said, 
(speaking for the Delegates) — Everywhere they had been 
most hospitably received, which they thought, had culmi- 
nated in the noble reception they had yesterday met with 
at Toronto. The regret they felt at leaving that city had, 
however, been very greatly lessened by the kind arrange- 
ments for their comfort and accommodation which they 
had that day experienced at the hands of Mr. Swinyard 
and the Great Western Kail way. He felt that since they 
had entered the Province of Canada the Managers of Kail- 
ways had contributed in a very great degree to their 
pleasure, comfort and accommodation. He heartily 
thanked Mr. Swinyard for the kindness and forethought 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 215 

which had dictated the placing of a special train at the dis- 
posal of the Delegates and the ladies of their party to visit 
the Niagara Falls, a sight of which they would doubtless 
suppose would not be the faintest remembrance they would 
carry away with them of their visit. They had been 
delighted with all that they had witnessed, and their only 
regret was that time would not permit of a closer ac- 
quaintance with the cities of this part of the Province and 
the beauties of the country. 

Mr. Swinyard, on rising to respond, was received with 
loud cheers. He said he was truly obliged to them for 
the kindness they had shown in drinking to his health, 
and the hearty manner in which that toast had been 
received, for the little service the Company had been able 
to render to them in enabling them to visit the great 
wonder of the world, the Niagara Falls. He was in hopes 
that they would have been able to pass with him over the 
whole of the Great Western line, as well as the railways 
of their neighbours, the Michigan Central or the Detroit 
and Milwaukie, in order to have seen the great signs of 
prosperity evident everywhere in this vast western country. 
He assured them that they would have been greatly 
delighted with such a trip, but as their time would not 
permit of it, the people would gladly excuse them. In 
seeing Toronto and Hamilton he said they had only seen 
the results of the products and industry of Western 
Canada. These places have been raised to the importance 
they have now attained, not as they might suppose by a 
small section of country immediately surrounding them, 
but by a vast and expansive territory beyond them, extend- 
ing back to the Detroit river. They would have seen that 
these two cities are only the emporiums of the great Pen- 
insula of Western Canada, which had made and is now 
making the most rapid strides in commercial prosperity. 
He knew that it would not then become him to detain 
them with any lengthy remarks, as their auxiety was no 
doubt to visit the Falls. He would only say that the 
object for which the Conference had met seemed to be 
heartily and unanimously approved by the people and 
press of this section of Canada, and he hoped that their 
labours to promote a union, which should make each and 



216 UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 

all the Provinces an integral portion of one great country — 
all bound together by ties of commercial and personal 
relationship — would be crowned with success. 

The Delegation party, having been provided with car- 
riages, then visited the Falls ; and although the rain fell 
heavily, they spent several hours in wandering about the 
grounds of Mr. Street, a gentleman of large property and 
high standing in that section of the country, and from 
which they had a splendid view of the Falls in all their 
dread magnificence. 

At nearly night-fall the party returned to the Kailway 
Station, where a few of them separated from the main 
body, taking their departure homeward via the United 
States. The others reached Toronto the same evening in 
perfect safety. 

On the evening of the 5th November the Delegation 
party left Toronto for Montreal in a special train of the 
Grand Trunk Kailway, again obligingly provided by Mr. 
Brydges, the Managing Director ; and they arrived at 
Montreal on the following morning at 10 o'clock. 

An informal meeting of all the Delegates then in Mon- 
treal was held at the St. Lawrence Hall, where the 
Minutes and ^Resolutions of the Quebec Conference were, 
for the last time, carefully read over ; and the parchment 
copy of the Eesolutions was afterwards signed by all the 
Delegates present. 

The party left Montreal on the same evening, on their 
return to their several homes in the Eastern Provinces. 



Nothing more remains for the Compiler of these unpre- 
tending pages than to introduce the Report of the Quebec 
Conference, which was the result of the deliberations so 
frequently referred to herein, and whose outlines were 



UNION OF THE BRITISH PROVINCES. 217 

dimly shadowed forth in several of the speeches delivered 
on important public occasions after the Conference had 
brought its labors to a close. The Keport has been ex- 
tensively published throughout the British Provinces, and 
every intelligent person is, no doubt, familiar with its 
details ; but the Compiler feels that this little work would 
be unpardonably imperfect if it did not contain a copy of 
it. The Keport of the Convention, in all its features, may 
not just now be deemed practicable as the basis of a con- 
stitution for a Confederacy of the British American Pro- 
vinces, as a whole — owing to sectional differences which 
are at present apparently irreconcilable ; but as the fruit 
of long and patient deliberation, it may, in many points, 
be taken as a guide for future and more successful states- 
manship. 

The festivities which the Canadian people so lavishly pour- 
ed upon the Delegates, and the offer of which it was found 
necessary to decline more frequently than to accept — were 
not allowed to intereferewith the business of the Conference, 
when, preliminary matters being adjusted, the details of 
the proposed constitution commenced to develope them- 
selves. Early and late hours were devoted to their dis- 
cussion and consideration ; and if the work of the Quebec 
Conference Chamber is not perfect — (what human work 
ever was?) — it will not be, however, without its advan- 
tages, inasmuch as it may serve to throw some light on 
the path of more skilful and sagacious adventurers, who — 
fearless of prejudice and suspicion — may be required to 
moil through the dark labyrinths of that most perplexing 
of all sciences — the framing of a Nation's Constitution. 



APPENDIX, 



EEPO ET 

Of Resolutions adopted at a Conference of Delegates from 
the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and Neiv 
Brunsiuick, and the Colonies of Newfoundland and 
Prince Edward Island, held at the City of Quebec, 
10th October, 1864, as the Basis of a proposed Con- 
federation of those Provinces and Colonies, 

1. The best interests and present and future prosperity 
of British North America will be promoted by a Federal 
Union under the Crown of Great Britain, provided such 
Union can be effected on principles just to the several 
Provinces 

2. In the Federation of the British North American 
Provinces the system of Government best adapted under 
existing circumstances to protect the diversified interests 
of the several Provinces and secure efficiency, harmony and 
permanency in the working of the Union, would be a 
general Government charged with matters of common 
interest to the whole Country, and Local Governments for 
each of the Canadas aud for the Provinces of Nova Scotia, 
New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, charged with 
the control of local matters in their respective sections — 
provision being made for the admission into the Union on 
equitable terms of Newfoundland, the North- West Terri- 
tory, British Columbia and Vancouver. 

3. In framing a Constitution for the General Govern- 
ment, the Conference, with a view to the perpetuation of 
our connection with the Mother Country, and to the 
promotion of the best interests of the people of these 
Provinces, desire to follow the model of the British Con- 
stitution, so far as our circumstances will permit. 

4. The Executive Authority or Government shall be 
vested in the Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland, and be administered according to the 



220 APPENDIX, 

well understood principles of the British Constitution by 
the Sovereign personally, or by the ^Representative of the 
Sovereign duly authorized. 

5. The Sovereign or Kepresentative of the Sovereign 
shall be Commander in Chief of the Land and Naval 
Militia Forces. 

6. There shall be a General Legislature or Parliament 
for the Federated Provinces, composed of a Legislative 
Council and a House of Commons. 

7. For the purpose of forming the Legislative Council 
the Federated Provinces shall be considered as consist- 
ing of three divisions, 1st. Upper Canada ; 2nd. Lower 
Canada ; 3rd. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince 
Edward Island, each division with an equal representation 
in the Legislative Council. 

8. Upper Canada shall be represented in the Legislative 
Council by 24 Members, Lower Canada by 24 Members, 
and the three Maritime Provinces by 24 Members, of which 
Nova Scotia shall have Ten, New Brunswick, Ten, and 
Prince Edward Island, Four Members. 

9. The Colony of Newfoundland shall be entitled to 
enter the proposed Union with a representation in the 
Legislative Council of Four Members. 

10. The North- West Territory, British Columbia and 
Vancouver shall be admitted into the Union on such 
terms and conditions as the Parliament of the Federated 
Provinces shall deem equitable, and as shall receive the 
assent of Her Majesty ; and in the case of the Province of 
British Columbia or Vancouver, as shall be agreed to by 
the Legislature of such Province. 

11. The Members of the Legislative Council shall be 
appointed by the Crown under the Great Seal of the 
General Government, and shall hold Office during life. 
If any Legislative Councillor shall, for two consecutive 
sessions of Parliament, fail to give his attendance in the 
said Council, his seat shall thereby become vacant. 

12. The Members of the Legislative Council shall be 
British Subjects by Birth or Naturalization, of the full age 
of Thirty years, shall possess a continuous real property 
qualification of four thousand dollars over and above all 
incumbrances, and shall be and continue worth that sum 
over and above their debts and liabilities ; but in case of 



APPENDIX. 221 

Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island the property 
may be either real or personal. 

13. If any question shall arise as to the qualification of a 
Legislative Councillor the same shall be determined by 
the Council. 

14. The first selection of the Members of the Legislative 
Council shall be made, except as regards Prince Edward 
Island, from the Legislative Councils of the various Pro- 
vinces, so far as a sufficient number be found qualified and 
willing to serve ; such Members shall be appointed by the 
Crown at the recommendation of the General Executive 
Government, upon the nomination of the respective Local 
Governments ; and in such nomination due regard shall 
be had to the claims of the Members of the Legislative 
Council of the Opposition in each Province, so that all 
political parties may as nearly as possible be fairly re- 
presented. 

15. The Speaker of the Legislative Council (unless 
otherwise provided by Parliament,) shall be appointed by 
the Crown from among the members of the Legislative 
Council ; and shall hold office during pleasure ; and shall 
only be entitled to a casting vote on an equality of votes. 

16. Each of the twenty-four Legislative Councillors 
representing Lower Canada in the Legislative Council of 
the General Legislature shall be appointed to represent 
one of the twenty-four Electoral Divisions mentioned in 
Schedule A of Chapter first of the Consolidated Statutes 
of Canada, and such Councillor shall reside or possess his 
qualification in the Division he is appointed to represent. 

17. The basis of Eepresentation in the House of Com- 
mons shall be population, as determined by the Official 
Census every ten years ; and the number of Members at 
first shall be 194, distributed as folllows : 

Upper Canada 82 

Lower Canada , 65 

Nova Scotia 19 

New Brunswick 15 

Newfoundland 8 

and Prince Edward Island 5 

18. Until the Official Census of 1871 has been made up 



222 APPENDIX. 

there shall be no change in the number of Kepresentatives 
from the several sections. 

19. Immediately after the completion of the Census 
of 1871, and immediately after every Decennial Census 
thereafter, the Kepresentation from each section in the 
House of Commons shall be re-adjusted on the basis 
of population. 

20. For the purpose of such re-adjustments, Lower 
Canada shall always be assigned sixty-five members, and 
each of the other sections shall at each re-adjustment 
receive, for the ten years then next succeeding, the number 
of members to which it will be entitled on the same ratio 
of representation to population as Lower Canada will 
enjoy according to the Census last taken by having sixty- 
five members. 

21. No reduction shall be made in the number of Mem- 
bers returned by any section, unless its population shall 
have decreased relatively to the population of the whole 
Union, to the extent of five per centum. 

22. In computing at each decennial period the num- 
of Members to which each section is entitled, no fractional 
parts shall be considered, unless when exceeding one half 
the number entitling to a Member, in which case a Mem 7 
ber shall be given for each such fractional part. 

23. The Legislature of each Province shall divide such 
Province into the proper number of constituencies, and 
define the boundaries of each of them. 

24. The Local Legislature of each Province may, from 
time to time, alter the Electoral Districts for the purposes 
of Kepresentation in such local Legislature, and distri- 
bute the representatives to which the Province is entitled 
in any manner such Legislature may think fit. 

25. The number of Members may at any time be in- 
creased by the General Parliament — regard being had to 
the proportionate rights then existing. 

26. Until provisions are made by the General Parlia- 
ment, all the Laws which, at the date of the Proclamation 
constituting the Union, are in force in the Provinces 
respectively, relating to the qualification and disqualifica- 
cation of any person to be elected or to sit or vote as a 
member of the Assembly in the said Provinces respectively 
— and relating to the qualification or disqualification of 



APPENDIX. 223 

voters, and to the oaths to be taken by voters, and to 
Keturning Officers and their powers and duties, — and 
relating to the proceedings at Elections, — and to the 
period during which such Elections may be continued, — 
and relating to the trial of Controverted Elections, — and the 
proceedings incident thereto, — and relating to the vacating 
of seats of Members, and to the issuing and execution of 
new Writs in case of any seat being vacated otherwise 
than by a dissolution, — shall respectively apply to Elections 
of Members to serve in the House of Commons for places 
situate in those Provinces respectively. 

27. Every House of Commons shall continue for five 
years from the day of the return of the Writs choosing the 
same, and no longer, subject, nevertheless, to be sooner 
prorogued or dissolved by the Governor. 

28. There shall be a Session of the General Parliament 
once at least in every year, so that a period of twelve 
calendar months shall not intervene between the last sitting 
of the General Parliament in one Session and the first 
sitting thereof in the next session. 

29. The General Parliament shall have power to make 
Laws for the peace, welfare and good Government of the 
Federated Provinces (saving the Sovereignty of England), 
and especially Laws respecting the following subjects : — 

1 The Public Debt and Property. 

2. The Kegulation of Trade and Commerce. 

3. The imposition or regulation of Duties of Cus- 

toms on Imports and Exports, except on Exports 
of Timber, Logs, Masts, Spars, Deals, and 
Sawn Lumber, and of Coal and other Minerals. 

4. The imposition or regulation of Excise Duties. 

5. The raising of money by all or any other modes 

or systems of Taxation. 

6. The borrowing of Money on the Public Credit. 

7. Postal Service. 

8. Lines of Steam or other Ships, Kailways, Canals, 

and other works, connecting any two or more 
of the Provinces together, or extending beyond 
the limits of any Province. 

9. Lines of Steamships between the Federated Pro- 

vinces and Countries. 



224 APPENDIX. 

10. Telegraphic Communication, and the incorpora- 

tion of Telegraphic Companies. 

11. All such works as shall, although lying wholly 

within any Province, be specially declared by 
the Acts authorizing them to be for the general 
advantage. 

12. The Census. 

IS. Militia — Military and Naval Service and Defence. 

14. Beacons, Buoys and Light Houses. 

15. Navigation and Shipping. 

16. Quarantine. 

17. Sea Coast and Inland Fisheries. 

18. Ferries between any Province and a Foreign 

Country, or between any two Provinces. 

19. Currency and Coinage. 

20. Banking, Incorporation of Banks, and the issue 

of paper money. 

21. Savings Banks. 

22. Weights and Measures. 

23. Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes. 

24. Interest. 

25. Legal Tender. m 

26. Bankruptcy and Insolvency. 

27. Patents of Invention and Discovery. 

28. Copy Eights. 

29. Indians and Lands reserved for the Indians. 

30. Naturalization and Aliens. 

31. Marriage and Divorce. 

32. The Criminal Law, excepting the Constitution of 

the Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction, but includ- 
ing the procedure in criminal matters. 

33. Kendering uniform all or any of the laws relative 

to property and civil rights in Upper Canada, 
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland 
and Prince Edward Island, and rendering uni- 
form the procedure of all or any of the Courts 
in these Provinces ; but any Statute for this 
purpose shall have no force or authority in any 
Province until sanctioned by the Legislature 
thereof. 

34. The Establishment of a General Court of Appeal 

for the Federated Provinces. 



APPENDIX. 225 

35. Immigration. 

36. Agriculture. 

37. And generally respecting all matters of a general 

character, not specially and exclusively reserved 
for the Local Governments and Legislatures. 

30. The General Government and Parliament shall 
have all powers necessary or proper for performing the 
obligations of the Federated Provinces, as part of the 
British Empire, to Foreign Countries, arising under 
Treaties between Great Britain and such Countries. 

31; The General Parliament may also, from time to 
time, establish additional Courts, and the General Govern- 
ment may appoint Judges and Officers thereof, when the 
same shall appear necessary, or for the public advantage, 
in order to the due execution of the laws of Parliament. 

32. All Courts, Judges and Officers of the several Pro- 
vinces shall aid, assist and obey the General Government 
in the exercise of its rights and powers, and for such pur- 
poses shall be held to be Courts, Judges and Officers 
of the General Government. 

33. The General Government shall appoint and pay the 
Judges of the Superior Courts in each Province, and of 
the County Courts of Upper Canada, and Parliament 
shall fix their salaries. 

34. Until the Consolidation of the Laws of Upper 
Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and 
Prince Edward Island, the Judges of these Provinces ap- 
pointed by the General Government shall be selected from 
their respective Bars. 

35. The Judges of the Courts of Lower Canada shall 
be selected from the Bar of Lower Canada. 

36. The Judges of the Court of Admiralty now receiv- 
ing salaries shall be paid by the General Government. 

37. The Judges of the Superior Courts shall hold their 
offices during good behaviour, and shall be removable only 
on the Address of both Houses of Parliament. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT. 

38. For each of the Provinces there shall be an Execu- 
tive Officer, styled the Lieutenant Governor, who shall be 
appointed by the Governor General in Council, under the 
Great Seal of the Federated Provinces, during pleasure ; 

17 



226 APPENDIX. 

such pleasure not to be exercised before the expiration of 
the first five years, except for cause : such cause to be 
communicated in writing to the Lieutenant Governor 
immediately after the exercise of the pleasure as aforesaid, 
and also by message to both Houses of Parliament, within 
the first week of the first Session afterwards. 

39. The Lieutenant Governor of each Province shall 
be paid by the General Government. 

40. In undertaking to pay the salaries of the Lieutenant 
Governors, the Conference does not desire to prejudice the 
claim of Prince Edward Island upon the Imperial Govern- 
ment for the amount now paid for the salary of the 
Lieutenant Governor thereof. 

41. The Local Government and Legislature of each 
Province shall be constructed in such manner as the exist- 
ing Legislature of such Province shall provide. 

42. The Local Legislatures shall have power to alter or 
amend their constitution from time to time. 

43. The Local Legislatures shall have power to make 
Laws respecting the following subjects : 

1 . Direct Taxation and the imposition of Duties on 

the export of Timber, Logs, Masts, Spars, 
Deals and Sawn Lumber, and of Coals and other 
Minerals. 

2. Borrowing Money on the credit of the Province. 

3. The establishment and tenure of local Offices, and 

the appointment and payment of local Officers. 

4. Agriculture . 

5. Immigration. I 

6. Education; saving the rights and privileges which 

the Protestant or Catholic minority in both 
Canadas may possess as to their Denominational 
Schools, at the time when the Union goes into 
operation. 

7. The sale and management of Public Lands, 

excepting Lands belonging to the General 
Government. 

8. Sea coast and Inland Fisheries. 

9. The establishment, maintenance and management 

of Penitentiaries, and of Public and Reforma- 
tory Prisons. 



APPENDIX. 227 

10. The establishment, maintenance and management 

of Hospitals, Asylums, Charities and Eleemosy- 
nary Institutions. 

11. Municipal Institutions. 

12. Shop, Saloon, Tavern, Auctioneer and other 

Licenses. 

13. Local Works. 

14. The Incorporation of private and local Companies, 

except such as relate to matters assigned to the 
General Parliament. 

15. Property and civil rights, excepting those por- 

tions thereof assigned to the General Parlia- 
ment. 
1G. Inflicting punishment by fine, penalties, impri- 
sonment, or otherwise for the breach of laws 
passed in relation to any subject within their 
jurisdiction. 

17. The Administration of Justice, including the 

Constitution, maintenance and organization of 
the Courts — both of Civil and Criminal Juris- 
diction, and including also the Procedure in Civil 
Matters. 

18. And generally all matters of a private or local 

nature, not assigned to the General Parliament. 

44. The power of respiting, reprieving and pardoning 
Prisoners convicted of crimes, and of commuting and 
remitting of sentences, in whole or in part, which belongs 
of right to the Crown, shall be administered by the Lieu- 
tenant Governor of each Province in Council, subject to 
any instructions he may from time to time receive from 
the General Government, and subject to any provisions 
that may be made in this behalf by the General Parlia- 
ment. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

45. In regard to all subjects over which jurisdiction 
belongs to both the General and Local Legislatures, the 
laws of the General Parliament shall control and supersede 
those made by the Local Legislature, and the latter shall 
be void so far as they are repugnant to, or inconsistent 
with the former. 



228 APPENDIX. 

46. Both the English and French languages may be 
employed in the General Parliament and in its proceedings, 
and in the Local Legislature of Lower Canada, and also 
in the Federal Courts and in the Courts of Lower Canada. 

47. No lands or property belonging to the General or 
Local Government shall be liable to taxation. 

48. All Bills for appropriating any part of the Public 
Revenue, or for imposing any new Tax or Impost, shall 
originate in the House of Commons, or in the House of 
Assembly, as the case may be. 

49. The House of Commons or House of Assembly 
shall not originate or pass any Vote, Kesolution, Address 
or Bill, for the appropriation of any part of the Public 
Revenue, or of any Tax or Impost to any purpose, not 
first recommended by Message of the Governor General, 
or the Lieutenant Governor, as the case may be, during 
the Session in which such Vote, Resolution, Address or 
Bill is passed. 

50. Any Bill of the General Parliament may be re- 
served in the usual manner for Her Majesty's Assent ; and 
any Bill of the Local Legislatures may in like manner be 
reserved for the consideration of the Governor General. 

51. Any Bill passed by the General Parliament shall 
be subject to disallowance by Her Majesty within two 
years, as in the case of Bills passed by the Legislatures of 
the said Provinces hitherto ; and in like manner any Bill 
passed by a Local Legislature shall be subject to disallow- 
ance by the Governor General within one year after the 
passing thereof. 

52. The Seat of Government of the Federated Pro- 
vinces shall be Ottawa, subject to the Royal Prerogative. 

53. Subject to any future action of the respective Local 
Governments, the seat of the Local Government in Upper 
Canada shall be Toronto ; of Lower Canada, Quebec ; and 
the Seats of the Local Governments in the other Provinces 
shall be as at present. 

PROPERTY AND LIABILITIES. 

54. All Stocks, Cash, Bankers' Balances and Securities 
for money belonging to each Province, at the time of the 
Union, except as hereinafter mentioned, shall belong to 
the General Government. 



APPENDIX. 229 

55. The following Public Works and Property of each 
Province, shall belong to the General Government — to wit : 

1. Canals ; 

2. Public Harbours ; 

3. Light Houses and Piers ; 

4. Steamboats, Dredges and Public Vessels ; 

5. Kiver and Lake Improvements ; 

6. Railways and Railway Stocks, Mortgages and 

other Debts due by Railway Companies ; 

7. Military Roads ; 

8. Custom Houses, Post Offices and other Public 

Buildings, except such as may be set aside by 
the General Government for the use of the Local 
Legislatures and Governments ; 

9. Property transferred by the Imperial Government 

and known as Ordnance Property ; 

10. Armories, Drill Sheds, Military Clothing and 

Munitions of War ; and 

11. Lands set apart for public purposes. 

56. All lands, mines, minerals and royalties vested in 
Her Majesty in the Provinces of Upper Canada, Lower 
Canada, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, for 
the use of such Provinces, shall belong to the Local Go- 
vernment of the territory in which the same are so situate ; 
subject to any trusts that may exist in respect to any of 
such lands, or to any interest of other persons in respect of 
the same. 

57. All sums due from purchasers or lessees of such 
lands, mines or minerals at the time of the Union, shall 
also belong to the Local Governments. 

58. All assets connected with such portions of the 
public debt of any Province as are assumed by the Local 
Governments shall also belong to those Governments 
respectively. 

59. The several Provinces shall retain all other Public 
Property therein, subject to the right of the General Go- 
vernment to assume any Lands or Public Property required 
for Fortifications or the Defence of the Country. 

60. The General Government shall assume all the Debts 
and Liabilities of each Province. 

61. The Debt of Canada, not specially assumed by 



230 APPENDIX. 

Upper and Lower Canada respectively, shall not exceed at 
the time of the Union, $62,500,000 ; Nova Scotia shall 
enter the Union with a debt not exceeding $8,000,000, and 
New Brunswick with a debt not exceeding $7,000,000. 

62. In case Nova Scotia or New Brunswick do not in- 
cur liabilities beyond those for which their Governments 
are now bound, and which shall make their debts at the 
date of Union less than $8,000,000 and $7,000,000 respec- 
tively, they shall be entitled to interest at five per cent, on 
the amount not so incurred, in like manner as is herein- 
after provided for Newfoundland and Prince Edward 
Island ; the foregoing resolution being in no respect in- 
tended to limit the powers given to the respective Govern- 
ments of those Provinces by Legislative authority, but 
only to limit the maximum amount of charge to be assum- 
ed by the General Government. Provided always that 
the powers so conferred by the respective Legislatures 
shall be exercised within five years from this date or the 
same shall then lapse. 

63. Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, not 
having incurred debts equal to those of the other Provinces, 
shall be entitled to receive, by half yearly payments, in 
advance, from the General Government, the Interest at 
five per cent, on the difference between the actual amount 
of their respective Debts at the time of the Union and 
the average amount of indebtedness per head of the popu- 
lation of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

64. In consideration of the transfer to the General Par- 
liament of the powers of Taxation, an annual grant in aid 
of each Province shall be made, equal to 80 cents per head 
of the Population, as established by the Census of 1861. 
The Population of Newfoundland being estimated at 
130,000. Such aid shall be in full settlement of all future 
demands upon the General Government for local purposes, 
and shall be paid half-yearly in advance to each Province. 

65. The position of New Brunswick being such as to 
entail large immediate charges upon her local revenues, it 
is agreed that for the period of ten years from the time 
when the Union takes effect, an additional allowance of 
$63,000 per annum shall be mad.' to that Province. But 
that so long as the liability of that Province remains 



APPENDIX. 231 

under $7,000,000, a deduction equal to the interest on 
such deficiency shall be made from the $63,000. 

66. In consideration of the surrender to the General 
Government by Newfoundland of all its rights in Mines 
and Minerals, and of all the ungranted and unoccupied 
Lands of the Crown, it is agreed that the sum of $150,000 
shall each year be paid that Province, by semi-annual 
payments. Provided that that Colony shall retain the 
right of opening, constructing and controlling Eoads and 
Bridges through any of the said Lands, subject to any 
Laws which the General Parliament may pass in respect 
of the same. 

67. All engagements that may, before the Union, be 
entered into with the Imperial Government for the De- 
fence of the Country, shall be assumed by the General 
Government. 

68. The General Government shall secure, without 
delay, the completion of the Intercolonial Kail way from 
Riviere-du-Loup through New Brunswick to Truro in 
Nova Scotia. 

69. The communications with the North- Western Ter- 
ritory, and the improvements required for the develope- 
ment of the Trade of the Great West with the Seaboard, 
are regarded by this Conference as subjects of the highest 
importance to the Federated Provinces, and shall be pro- 
secuted at the earliest possible period that the state of the 
Finances will permit. 

70. The sanction of the Imperial and Local Parlia- 
ments shall be sought for the Union of the Province, on 
the principles adopted by the Conference. 

71. That Her Majesty the Queen be solicited to deter- 
mine the rank and name of the Federated Provinces. 

72. The proceedings of the Conference shall be authen- 
ticated by the signatures of the Delegates, and submitted 
by each Delegation to its own Government, and the Chair- 
man is authorized to submit a copy to the Governor Ge- 
neral for transmission to the Secretary of State for the 
Colonies. 



THE MERCHANT MARINE OF 

BRITISH AMERICA. 

The Montreal Witness furnishes the follow- 
YkigifllNresting statistical information i gard 
to British American merchant vessels, ic will 
he seen that Nova Scotia occupies the foremost 
place in this.ftr*anch of industry: — 
■*** " No hrsmch of industry has grown up in the 
Provinces to greater dimensions in the course 
of a comparatively short period of time than 
the Maritime interest. In 1863 no less than 628 
vessels were built in Briiish^A mei> Jca, of which 
the aggregate tonnage was 280,Bl2.k The in- 
dustry represented by these holies shows an 
i export value of nearly nine million dollars. 
On the 31st December, 1864, the figures were. 



j as follows:— »"• " 


*"" •-->■. 








Vessels. 


Tons. 




Canada, 
Nova Scotia, 
New Brunswick, 
Prince Edward Island, 
Newfoundland, 


2311 

3539 

891 

361 

1428 


286,187 

309,554 

211,680 

34,222 

89,693 


< 
} 
3 



8530 ' 932,330 
Great Britain and the United States largely 
exceed this number, but France, tbe next great- 
est commercial State, with thirty-five millions 
of population, an immense foreign trade, and j 
an extensive sea coast — owns only 60,000 tons 
of shipping more than British America. In 
1860 the aggregate commercial navy of France 
was 995,124. 

Another important statement is the return 
of shipping entering and leaving the ports of 
British America:— 

Inwards. Outwards. Total Tons. 
Canada 1,061,307 1,001,895 2,153,202 

Nova Scotia, 712,959 719,915 1,432,854 

N. Brunswick, 659,258 727,727 1,386,985 

P. E. Island, 69,080 81,200 150,284 

Newfoundland, 156,578 148,610 305,186 



2,659,182 2,769,347 6,428,509 

By the census of 1860, it appears that the 

number of those engaged in maritime pursuits 

were as follows:— 

Canada, 5,958 

Nova Scotia, 19,637 

New Brunswick, 2,765 

P. E. Island, 2,318 

Newfoundland, 33,578 



69,255 
Hereiwe see that five years ago the Provinces 
hM n'o'lj/BSS than 70,000 able-bodied en en- 
gagui^at sea, either in manning ir com- 
mercial shipping or their fishing ves. ■!." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




017 395 143 7 



